August 8, 2024
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Two new Olympic gold medalists emerged at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the men's lightweight and men's middleweight titles were decided. Additionally, the finals are scheduled for the super heavyweight division and women's featherweight after Thursday’s contests.
Cuban Lightweight Strikes Gold
Erislandy Alvarez of Cuba stands as his nation's newest gold medalist after claiming glory in Paris. Alvarez decisively outpointed Sofiane Oumiha of France. Oumiha, who barely edged Wyatt Sanford of Canada in the previous round, couldn’t match Alvarez’s relentless pace. Despite Oumiha boasting a victory over Alvarez in the past, losing the gold medal match caused tears to flow.
Oumiha leaves with his second Olympic silver, repeating his 2016 Rio outcome. The bout’s drama peaked with questionable scoring in the second round, creating a brief opportunity for Oumiha to win, but Alvarez secured Cuba another Olympic gold.
French fans were gutted by the call, though it was just.
Khyzhniak Redeems Himself
Ukrainian middleweight Oleksandr Khyzhniak claimed gold by defeating Oralbay Nurbek of Kazakhstan. This victory redeems his 2020 Olympic experience where Hebert Conceicao Sousa of Brazil knocked him out in the final round of their gold medal match.
Khyzhniak's career, often overshadowed by compatriots Vasily Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk, can be compared to those of Serhii Bohachuk and Ievgen Khytrov. A methodical pressure fighter with high output, Khyzhniak now brings home the elusive Olympic gold to his war-torn country.
He’d be a good pro.
No Drama at Super Heavyweight
Bakhodir Jalolov is set to become a two-time Olympic gold medalist, yet his journey so far has lacked the expected dominance. He overcame Germany’s Nelvie Tiafack, but his performance showed signs of adapting to the professional style - or perhaps even boredom.
Jalolov’s win over Australia’s Teremoana Junior was close and against Tiafack, he did enough to win without taking full control. Comparisons to Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic gold-medalist seem unfair; his size and build contribute as much to his success as his skill does, especially in a shallow super heavyweight division.
Jalolov will face Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa in a gold medal match that feels like a formality.
Ghadfa advanced after defeating France’s Djamili-Dini Aboudou Moindze, in a bout not without drama as Moindze dropped Ghadfa in the final round.
Jalolov is bigger than Moindze and hits harder.
Women’s Featherweight Gold Match Set
Lin Yu-ting of Taipei defeated Esra Yildiz of Turkey to advance to the women’s featherweight gold match. Yu-ting, along with Imane Khelif, has been at the center of a gender controversy following remarks from the IBA that they failed gender tests at last year’s World Championships.
Poland’s Julia Szeremeta upset favorite Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines, setting the stage for Yu-ting and Szeremeta for the gold.
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