Notable Performances

Men’s Welterweight

Pat McCormack defeated Aliaksandr Radzionau (BLR) – Pat McCormack, the welterweight favorite looked solid, and reminded me of Luke Campbell in the opening round an Olympic gold medalist from years prior, though I didn’t love the way he handled Radzionau’s pressure. So far, Keyshawn Davis is looking like the top of the class in these Olympic Games.

Roniel Iglesias (CUB) defeated Sewon Okazawa (JPN) – It was not the most solid performance by Iglesias as I edged it for Okazawa, Iglesias looks highly beatable with a low punchout, but good movement, and can be hard to hit. I think Okazawa will be a good pro.

Delante “Tiger” Johnson defeated Ablaikhan Zhussupov (KAZ) – A star-making performance. Johnson has had the most impressive Olympic Games of any fighter as he survived a flash knockdown to beat Argentina in the first round and then beat the heavily favored Zhussupov, did so with a small cut. I hope nothing foolish happens, as Johnson deserves to fight Cuba, and is having quite the Olympics.

Men’s Heavyweight

Emmanuel Reyes (ESP) stopped Vassiliy Levit (KAZ) – You can expect to see Emmanuel Reyes in the pros as he stopped professional amateur Vassiliy Levit in two rounds. Reyes has the trouble fortune of fighting Cruz next, but Reyes should be an exciting professional and made a statement on the world stage.

Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (ROC) defeated Abdelhafid Benchabla (ALG) – Gadzhimagomedov has one of the hardest names to say in the Olympics and seems to be the man to beat at least in his bracket, as he has a good right hand that caused a knockdown. Still, he relies too much on it that being said, I don’t see the next Evander Holyfield coming out of this Olympic group.

David Nyika (NZL) defeated Youness Baalla (MAR) – Nyika is a well-schooled boxer, who I would be interested to see fighting at light heavyweight as a pro. A technical operator who could very well beat anyone in the division. Nyika should be a notable pro, and has a chance to be an Olympic medalist.

Julio César La Cruz (CUBA) defeated (KEN) – Cruz looked the best of any heavyweight early in the tournament. Cruz will now more than likely be the betting favorite as he has good movement and hand speed, but this division as whole seems like a feeder system to the light heavyweight division in the pros, which isn’t one of the deeper divisions. Cruz gets one negative point for having a man bun in his hair.

Women’s Lightweight

Caroline Dubois (GBR) defeated Donjeta Sadiku – Dubois, the sister of heavyweight title contender Daniel Dubois, looks like a stud in this division. A good jab, and solid fundamentals. Dubois could be a sneaky contender to medal at this Olympic Games. Dubois’ next bout will be an exciting one as she faces Rashida Ellis of the USA in the next round.

Mira Potkonen (FIN) defeated Maïva Hamadouche (FRA) – Potkonen defeated currently professional world champion Hamadouche. Potkonen, a former Katie Taylor rival, is a world title-type talent, who I see having a path to the finals and being one of the most experienced and seasoned fighters in this tournament.

Women’s Welterweight

Oshae Jones (USA) defeated Brianda Cruz (MEX) – This bout seemed to show two future professional world champions, having a competitive bout, that Jones edged based on pedigree. Jones is one of the strongest fighters coming out of America, and should win gold at this year’s Olympic Games with Busenaz Sürmeneli looking like her only main opposition. I would remember bot of these fighters names in terms of when they go pro.

Busenaz Sürmeneli (TUR) defeated Karolina Koszewska (POL) – Sürmeneli is a human missle that just goes forward with the intent of landing damaging shots. Koszewska is a solid range fighter, who was nullified by the pressure of Surmeneli.

Acinda Panguana (MOZ) stopped Elizabeth Akinyi (KEN) – Panguana stopped Akinyi with volume and a high output. She will be a darkhorse in this division, as she throws tremendous lead uppercuts not unlike local Oakland fighter De’von Abraham did in the amateurs. Three standing-eight counts in the second round did in Akinyi.

Results

Men’s Welterweight

Bobo-Usmon Baturov (UZB) defeated Rohan Polanco (DOM)

Aidan Walsh (IRE) defeated Albert Mengue (CMR)

Merven Clair (MRI) defeated Zeyad Ishaish (JOR)

Eskerkhan Madiev (GEO) defeated Shadiri Bwogi (GEO)

Andrey Zamkovoy (ROC) defeated Stephen Zimba (ZAM)

Men’s Heavyweight

Ammar Abduljabbar (GER) defeated José María Lúcar (PER)

Uladzislau Smiahlikau (BLR) defeated Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali (SOM)

Hussein Ishaish (JOR) defeated Julio Castillo (ECU)

Abner Teixeira (BRA) defeated Cheavon Clarke (GBR)

Women’s Lightweight

Rebecca Nicoli (ITA) defeated Esmeralda Falcón (MEX)

Sudaporn Seesondee (THA) defeated María José Palacios (ECU)

Wu Shih-yi (TPC) defeated Agnes Alexiusson (SWE)

Women’s Welterweight

Anna Lysenko (UKR) defeated Oumayma Bel Ahbib (MAR)

Chen Nien-chin (TPE) defeated Angela Carini (ITA)

María Moronta (DOM) defeated Myriam Da Silva (CAN)

Gu Hong (CHN) defeated Baison Manikon (THA)