The American boxers continue to roll at the Tokyo Olympics.
Featherweight Duke Ragan defeated Samuel Takyi of Ghana 4-1 Monday evening U.S. time to reach the gold medal match, which will take place late Wednesday U.S. time. His opponent had not been determined at the time this was posted.
No American man has won gold since Andre Ward in 2004.
And lightweight Keyshawn Davis outpointed Gabil Mamedov of the Russian Olympic Committee 4-1 in the quarterfinals, thereby guaranteeing himself at least a bronze medal. He’ll face Hovhannes Bachkov of Armenia in the semifinals late Thursday U.S. time.
The U.S. is now guaranteed four medals, the most since it won two silver and two bronze in the 2000 Games.
Ragan had to rally to beat Takyi. The 23-year-old Cincinnati fighter, who is 4-0 as a pro, lost the first round on three of the five cards but won four of five in Rounds 2 and 3 to emerge with a split-decision victory.
The scores for Ragan were 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 and 29-28. Takyi won on one card 29-28.
Davis, from Norfolk, Va., had an up-down-up fight. He won the first round on four of five cards, lost the second on all five and swept the third round to win 29-28 on four cards and lose by the same score on one.
Next up for the U.S. is super heavyweight Richard Torrez and women’s welterweight Oshae Jones in semifinal matches late Tuesday. Torrez will face Kamshybek Kunkabayev of Kazakhstan while Jones will take on Gu Hong of China.