By: Richard L. Smith
The first American boxing team to compete in Greenland delivered a spectacular performance at Godthabhallen in Nuuk on Saturday, May 4 organization, Fight Club Nanoq organizers told RLS Media.
The team, featuring standout boxers from Newark and Hillside, New Jersey, claimed five knockout victories, captivating the local audience with their prowess and power.
Among the victors was Carlos Lizardo of Newark, this year’s N.J. Golden Gloves' sub-novice champion dominated his team, earning three standing eight counts in the very first round.
Boxing league officials confirmed that Quamaine Futrell of Hillside, although not victorious, fought a strategic and commendable match against a larger opponent.
Sebastian Mazeneth, a junior at the College of Staten Island from Brooklyn, and Corina Shirk-Harris from Atlantic City also left strong impressions.
Mazeneth knocked down Denmark’s number four rated boxer, Mads Bejder Christensen, four times in two rounds, while Shirk-Harris achieved a second-round victory with three eight counts against Clara Bjerregaard of Denmark.
Nolan Hill, a former William Paterson University basketball player, scored a memorable knockout in the third round with a decisive body punch, and Joshua Rodriguez, a late addition to the team, demonstrated his skill by securing a third-round victory.
The event, organized by Ryan Songalia in collaboration with Fight Club Nanoq, marked a milestone for all the American participants, as it was their first international competition.
Songalia said the atmosphere was electric, with several hundred fans in attendance, including dignitaries from the United States’ Consulate in Nuuk.
Post-match, the American boxers visited Fight Club Nanoq for a joint training session, sharing techniques and experiences with their Greenlandic counterparts.
“This gesture of sportsmanship was emblematic of the event’s spirit, fostering not just competition but also cultural exchange and mutual respect,” Songalia said.
Trainers Ryan Songalia, Percy Gayanilo, and Jacklyn Atkins praised the team's performance and the warm reception they received in Greenland.
The successful event is expected to spark more interest and opportunities in the local boxing scene, helping to elevate the sport in Greenland by providing valuable experience to its fighters.