Boxing At The Rio Olympics 6.8.16-21.8.16

Okay, okay. I can feel the elbow in my ribs, I WILL do a little "what and who to look out for in the boxing at the Olympics".

For a start, expect Brazil and Venezuela to get more than a little rub of the green when it comes to decisions going their way, and the host nation to pick up at least one Gold medal. Last Olympics it was Great Britain and Azerbaijan who got the swing of things.

Great Britain, Ireland, Cuba, Kazhakstan, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan have all got strong teams with plenty of depth. Will be interesting to see how many medals they pick up.

Despite the USA having several promising fighters who prepared for some time for these Olympics, the majority of them failed to qualify, with some already turning pro (HW's Darmani Rock and Marlo Moore). The upshot is they are sending a relatively small and quite inexperienced team to Rio, but one potential superstar.

Light Fly:

A.Hovhannisyan (Armenia)-ELIMINATED By S.C.Herrera (Spain)-Prelim Rd-UD
P.Lourenco (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By Y.H.Martinez (Colombia)-Prelim Rd-UD
G.Yafai (Great Britain)-ELIMINATED By J.Argilagos (Cuba)-Last 16-SD
P.Barnes (Ireland)-ELIMINATED By S.C.Herrera (Spain)-Last 16-SD
J.Argilagos (Cuba) *BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By Y.H.Martinez (Colombia)-SD-Semi Finals
B.Zhakipov (Kazhakstan)-ELIMINATED By H.Dusmatov (Uzbekistan)-Quarter Finals-UD
J.Velasquez (Mexico)-ELIMINATED By H.Dusmatov (Uzbekistan)-Last 16-UD
V.Yegorov (Russia)-ELIMINATED By N.Hernandez (USA)-Last 16-UD
N.Hernandez (USA)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By H.Dusmatov (Uzbekistan)-Semi Finals-UD

Fly:

E.Mamishadza (Azerbaijan)-ELIMINATED By S.Zoirov (Uzbekistan)-Quarter Finals-UD
J.Henriques (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By A.Vargas (USA)-Prelim Rd-SD
C.Avila (Colombia)-ELIMINATED By M.Aloyan (Russia)-Quarter Finals-UD
M.Ali (Great Britain) *Yes, his first name is Muhammad-ELIMINATED-By Y.Finol Rivas (Venezuela)-Last 16-UD
B.Irvine (Ireland)-ELIMINATED By S.Zoirov (Uzbekistan)-Prelim Rd-UD
Y.Veitia (Cuba)-ELIMINATED BY J.HU (China)-Quarter Finals-SD
O.Sattibayev (Kazhakstan)-ELIMINATED By E.Mamishadza (Azerbaijan)-Last 16-UD
J.Cintron (P.Rico)-ELIMINATED By O.Sattibayev (Kazhakstan)-Prelim Rd-SD
M.Aloyan (Russia)*SILVER MEDAL-ELIMINATED By S.Zoirov (Uzbekistan)-FINAL-UD
A.Vargas (USA)-ELIMINATED By S.Zoirov (Uzbekistan)-Last 16-UD
Y.Finol Rivas (Venezuela)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By S.Zoirov (Uzbekistan)-Semi Finals-UD

Bantam:

R.De Jesus (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By S.Stevenson (USA)-Last 16-UD
Q.Ashfaq (Great Britain)-ELIMINATED By C.Butdee (Thailand)-Prelim Rd-UD
M.Conlan (Ireland)-ELIMINATED By V.Nitikin (Russia)-Quarter Finals-UD
R.Ramirez (Cuba)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER *Was superb at London 2012
K.Yeraliev (Kazhakstan)-ELIMINATED By M.Akhmadaliev (Uzbekistan)-Last 16-UD
B.Gicharu (Kenya)-ELIMINATED By T.Merdenbat (Mongolia)-Prelim Rd-UD
V.Nitikin (Russia)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By R.Ramirez (Cuba)-Semi Finals-W/O
C.Butdee (Thailand)-ELIMINATED By V.Nitikin (Russia)-Last 16-SD
M.Butsenko (Ukraine)-ELIMINATED By M.Hamout (Morocco)-Prelim Rd-MD
S.Stevenson (USA)*SILVER MEDAL *Team USA's main hope for a medal, despite being only 19 years of age-ELIMINATED By R.Ramirez (Cuba)-FINAL-SD
V.Rodriguez (Venezuela)-ELIMINATED-H.Sanmyeong (Soth Korea)-Prelim Rd-SD

Light:

A.Selimov (Azerbaijan) *The man who put the "1" in Vassyl Lomachenko's 396-1 amateur record-ELIMINATED By S.Oumiha (France)-Quarter Finals-UD
R.Concecaio (Brazil)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER *Host nation's best chance for a Gold
J.Cordina (Great Britain)-ELIMINATED By H.Tojibaev (Uzbekistan)-Last 16-SD
D.Joyce (Ireland)-ELIMINATED By A.Selimov (Azerbaijan)-Last 16-UD
C.Tommasone (Italy) *One of the three pro boxers who entered and qualified for the Games-ELIMINATED By L.Alvarez (Cuba)-Last 16-UD
L.Alvarez (Cuba)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By R.Conceicao (Brazil)-Semi Finals-UD
B.Abdrakhamanov (Kazhakstan)-ELIMINATED By C.Balderas (USA) Prelim Rd-UD
A.Abdurashidov (Russia)-ELIMINATED By R.Benbaziz (Algeria)-Last 16-UD
A.Ruenroeng (Thailand) *Second of the three pro's that qualified, is a former IBF Flyweight champion, competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where he reached the quarter finals, is competing well above his normal weight AND earned his place for these Olympics when he should have been serving a medical suspension as a pro after suffering a KO loss in losing his IBF title.-ELIMINATED By S.Oumiha (France)-Last 16-TKO 3
C.Balderas (USA)-ELIMINATED By L.Alvarez (Cuba)-Quarter Finals-UD
L.A. Cabrera (Venezuela)-ELIMINATED By D.Nerimatsu (Japan) Prelim Rd-SD

Light Welter:

J.Texeiera (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By B.Gozgec (Turkey)-Last 16-SD
L.Sotomayor (Azerbaijan)*SILVER MEDAL *Formerly competed for Cuba-ELIMINATED By F.Gaibnazarov (Uzbekistan)-FINAL-SD
P.McCormack (Great Britain)-ELIMINATED By Y.T.Lopez (Cuba)-Last 16-SD
M.Kumar (India)-ELIMINATED By F.Gaibnazarov (Uzbekistan)-Last 16-UD
Y.Toledo Lopez (Cuba)-ELIMINATED By L.Sotomayor (Azerbaijan)-Quarter Finals-UD
A.Zhussupov (Kazhakstan)-ELIMINATED By P.McCormack (GB)-Last 16-UD
E.Petrauskas (Lithuania)-ELIMINATED By M.Kumar (India)-Prelim Rd-UD
V.Dunaytsev (Russia)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By F.Gaibnazarov (Uzbekistan)-Semi Finals-SD
V.Matviychuk (Ukraine)-ELIMINATED By L.Sotomayor-Last 16-UD
G.A.Russell (USA) *Younger brother of current WBC featherweight champion, Gary Russell Jr-ELIMINATED By F.Gaibnazarov (Uzbekistan)-Quarter Finals-UD
L.Arcon (Venezuela)-ELIMINATED By H.Bachkov (Armenia)-Prelim Rd-SD

Welter:

S.Cissokho (France)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By D.Yelussinov (Kazhakstan)-Semi Finals-UD
J.Kelly (Great Britain)-ELIMINATED By D.Yelussinov (Kazakhstan)-Last 16-UD
B.Bacskai (Hungary)-ELIMINATED By S.Cissokho (France)-Prelim Rd-UD
S.Donnelly (Ireland)-ELIMINATED By M.Rabii (Morocco)-Quarter Finals-SD
V.Mangiacapre (Italy)-ELIMINATED By G.Maestre (Venezuela)-Last 16-W/O
R.Iglesias (Cuba) *Superb at London 2012-ELIMINATED By S.Giyasov (Uzbekistan)-Quarter Finals-UD
M.Rabii (Morocco)*BRONZE MEDAL *Almost wildly aggressive for an amateur, but it works-ELIMINATED By S.Giyasov (Uzbekaistan)-Semi Finals-UD
D.Yelussinov (Kazhakstan)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER
A.Zamkovoy (Russia)-ELIMINATED By R.Nkiri (Kenya)-Prelim Rd-SD
G.Maestre (Venezuela)-ELIMINATED By D.Yelussinov (Kazakhstan)-Quarter Finals-UD

Middle:

C.Mbili Asomo (France)-ELIMINATED By A.Lopez (Cuba)-Quarter Finals
A.Fowler (Great Britain)-ELIMINATED By Z.Alimkhanuly (Kazakhstan)-Prelim Rd-UD
M.O'Reilly (Ireland)-REMOVED FROM TOURNAMENT-Failed Drug Test Before First Bout
A.Lopez (Cuba)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER
Z.Alimkhanuly (Kazhakstan) *As slippery an amateur boxer as their ever has been-ELIMINATED By K.Shakhsuvarly (Azerbaijan)-Quarter Finals-SD
A.Cheboratev (Russia)-ELIMINATED BY K.Shakhsurvaly (Azerbaijan)-Last 16-SD
D.Mytrofanov (Ukraine)-ELIMINATED By C.Mbili Asomo (France)-Prelim Rd-UD
C.Conwell (USA)-ELIMINATED By K.Vikas (India)-Prelim Rd-UD
E.Jose Pinto (Venezuela)-ELIMINATED By M.Delgado (Ecuador)-Prelim Rd-UD

Light Heavy:

T.Mammadov (Azerbaijan)-ELIMINATED By A.Niyazmbetov (Kazhakstan)-Quarter Finals-UD
M.Borges (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By J.De La Cruz (Cuba)-Quarter Finals-UD
H.Ndam Njikam (Cameroon) *Third of the pro's to qualify. Was awarded the WBO middleweight title a couple of years ago on the eve of his fight with Peter Quillin, solely so he could lose it to him (he did)-ELIMINATED By M.Borges (Brazil)-Prelim Rd-UD
J.C Carillo (Colombia)-ELIMINATED By M.Bauderlique (France)-Last 16-UD
J.Buatsi (Great Britain)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By A.Niyazembtov (Kazhakstan)-Semi Finals-UD
J.Ward (Ireland)-ELIMINATED By C.Mina (Ecuador)-Last 16-SD
J.De La Cruz (Cuba) *GOLD MEDAL WINNER *The incredibly relaxed man of elastic. Survived a shooting attempt in his native country.
A.Niyazmbetov (Kazhakstan)*SILVER MEDAL-ELIMINATED By J.La Cruz (Cuba)-FINAL-UD
P.Mullenberg (Netherlands)-ELIMINATED By-T.Mammadov (Azerbaijan)-Last 16-UD
P.Khamulov (Russia)-ELIMINATED By A.Ramirez (Venezuela)-Prelim Rd-SD
K.Katende (Uganda)-ELIMINATED By J.Buatsi (GB)-Prelim Rd-TKO 3
D.Solonenko (Ukraine)-ELIMINATED By T.Mammadov (Azerbaijan)-Prelim Rd-UD
E.Rajuiov (Uzbekistan)-ELIMINATED By J.Buatsi (GB)-Last 16-TKO 3
A.Ramirez (Venezuela)-ELIMINATED By A.Benchabla (Algeria)-Last 16-MD

Heavy:

Y.Peralta (Argentina)-ELIMINATED By E.Savon (Cuba)-Quarter Finals-UD
J.Nogueira (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By E.Tischenko (Russia)-Last 16-UD
E.Savon (Cuba)*BRONZE MEDAL *Blatantly robbed against Anthony Joshua in the opening round of the tournament at London 2012. He won every round well bur still didn't get the decision-ELIMINATED By V.Levit (Kazhakstan)-Semi Finals-UD
D.Graf (Germany)-ELIMINATED By Y.Peralta (Argentina)-Last 16-SD
L.Okolie (Great Britain) *Only took up the sport less than two years ago-ELIMINATED By E.Savon (Cuba)-Last 16-UD
C.Russo (Italy) *Member of the Italian police force-ELIMINATED By E.Tischenko (Russia)-Quarter-Finals-UD
V.Levit (Kazhakstan)*SILVER MEDAL-ELIMINATED By E.Tischenko (Russia)-FINAL-UD
K.St.Pierre (Mauritius)-ELIMINATED By V.Levit (Kazhakstan)-Quarter Finals-UD
I.Jakubowski (Poland)-ELIMINATED By L.Okolie (GB)-Prelim Rd-UD
E.Tischenko (Russia)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Super Heavy:

M.Majidov (Azerbaijan)-ELIMINATED By I.Dychko (Kazhakstan)-Quarter Finals-UD
F.Hrgovic (Croatia) *Said to be responsible for causing the cut to David Haye which caused the first postponement of the cursed Haye and Tyson Fury fight*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By T.Yoka (France)-Semi Final-SD
T.Yoka (France)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER *Rumoured to have already signed for the Sauerland Brothers to go pro after the games
E.Pfeifer (Germany)-ELIMINATED By L.Clayton (Virgin Islands)-Prelim Rd-SD
J.Joyce (Great Britain)*SILVER MEDAL *Studied cheerleading in the US at one time. Seriously!-ELIMINATED By T.Yoka (France)-FINAL SD
L.Perot (Cuba)-ELIMINATED By F.Hrgovic (Croatia)-Quarter Finals-TKO 2
I.Dychko (Kazhakstan)*BRONZE MEDAL *Would make a great villain/henchman in a movie-ELIMINATED By J.Joyce (GB)-Semi Final-UD
M.Arjaoui (Morocco)-ELIMINATED By M.Majiodov (Azerbaijan)-Prelim Rd-UD
E.Munoz (Venezuela)-ELIMINATED By B.Jalolov (Uzbekistan)-Quarter Finals-TKO 2

Fly (Women):

R.Cancan (China)*BRONZE MEDAL-ELIMINATED By N.Adams (GB)-Semi Finals-UD
N.Adams (Great Britain)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER

Light (Women):

Y.Alekseevna (Azerbaijan) *One of only two women to gain a victory over the great Katie Taylor over the last TEN years!-ELIMINATED By J.Yin (China)-Quarter Finals-UD
A.Araujo (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By M.Potkonen (Finland)-Prelim Rd-SD
E.Moseley (France)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER *The other woman to get the better of Katie Taylor over the past decade. Amazingly both losses have been this year.
K.Taylor (Ireland) *You name it, she's won it and more than once: Domestic, European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic titles. Went from 2006-2016 undefeated in ALL competitions, is said to have had the better of more than a few spars with high profile male professionals and in her spare time once represented the Republic Of Ireland's women's football/soccer team with some distinction! Unlike her countryman Conor McGregor, she absolutely shuns any form of publicity or limelight and is well protected by her fearsome father, Peter.-ELIMINATED By M.Potkonen (Finland)-Quarter Finals-SD
M.Mayer (USA)-ELIMINATED By A.Beliakova (Russia)-Quarter Finals-MD

Middle (Women):

A.Bandeira (Brazil)-ELIMINATED By Q.Li (China)-Quarter Finals-UD
S.Marshall (Great Britain)-ELIMINATED By N.Frontin (Netherlands)-Quarter Finals-MD
N.Frontin (Netherlands)*SILVER MEDAL *Highly talented, slid under the radar-ELIMINATED By C.Shields (USA)-FINAL-UD
C.Shields (USA)*GOLD MEDAL WINNER *Defending Olympic champion, winning Gold at just 17. One of the most attack minded amateur boxers in the world, regardless of gender, and would be a surefire star of the pro ranks if women's professional boxing had any kind of traction, structure and depth of world class talent. It hasn't, so she has decided to remain amateur. Only suffered one defeat in her amateur career to this point, to GB's Savannah Marshall. They haven't fought since, to my knowledge.

Also, will be the first games since 1980 to be held without the use of headgear and will also be using the traditional 10 point must system as opposed to the crappy electronic system that was so inflexible and open to corruption.

To combat cuts suffered by the boxers, AIBA recommend that boxers use a cream that supposedly reduces the chances of getting cut (I have no idea how it works, but apparently it was trialed at several major tournaments and was a success).

Five judges will be randomly selected to score each bout but only three will be used. The selection process of the three scoring judges is also said to be randomly selected by computer, but because the computer has no comprehension of "perceived country bias" (the computer could select a judge from the same country as one of the boxers), a collection of officials named the Draw Commission is implemented to eliminate these problems. In theory. Unfortunately this is where the corruption can take place. If you would like to more know about this, then please read the "Price of an Olympic Quota" pieces that I linked in my opening post.

Ireland's middleweight, Michael O'Reilly, has allegedly tested positive for a banned substance. He is suspended until the result of his "B" sample is revealed. Supposedly the substance in question is of the recreational kind rather than a PED.

He has since tweeted that he will be competing, although the IOC and AIBA stand will by the "B" sample result which is yet to be known, before giving confirmation about his participation.

Former WBO middleweight champion Hassan Ndam Njikam and probably the most high profile professional boxer to enter and qualify for these Olympics, has just been eliminated by the host nation's Michel Borges by unanimous decision at the preliminary round stage.

Personally, I thought he did enough to win, nicking the first and certainly winning the third but he was fighting an uphill struggle against a host nation boxer who was looking to hold as much as possible in the latter stages and unsurprisingly got away with it, plus an overly picky official whose constant breaks of the action, and protracted amount of time in pointing them out, for the smallest possible infraction enabled a few seconds to be shaved off each time.

Is any of this (at least any good stuff) on YouTube yet?

I think this is a nice link to keep an eye on as it contains long gifs from most of the stuff going on at the Olympics:

www.the13thround.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=121352

Just had the best fight of the Olympics so far in Ireland's highly seeded, two time Olympic Bronze medalist Paddy Barnes and Spain's compact and aggressive Samuel Carlos Herrera in the Last 16 of the Light Flyweight's. A pulsating brawl from start to finish, I preferred the harder shots of the Spaniard but thought that Barnes reputation and history may sneak it for him. Fortunately, I was wrong and the judges gave it to Herrera, who's been one of the stand outs of the games so far over his two fights, on a split.

Definitely one worth checking out.