Duke Ragan fell just short in his bid to become the U.S.’ first Olympic gold medal winner since 2004.
Albert Batyrgaziev of the Russian Olympic Committee defeated Ragan by a 3-2 split decision in the featherweight championship match early Thursday Eastern Time in the U.S., meaning the Cincinnati fighter had to settle for the silver medal in Tokyo.
Batyrgaziev, a lanky southpaw, used volume punching to keep Ragan on the defensive in the first two rounds, both of which the Russian won on four of five cards. The American landed some eye-catching shots but couldn’t keep pace with his opponent.
Then, fighting with more urgency, he matched Batyrgaziev punch for punch – and then some — to win the third round on four of five cards.
However, it was too late for Ragan. Three judges had Batyrgaziev winning, 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28, while two scored it for Ragan, 29-28 and 29-28.
Had Ragan gotten the nod, he would’ve been the first American Olympic champion since Andre Ward 17 years ago.
Batyrgaziev and Ragan are both 23 and in the early stages of their professional careers, to which they will now return.
Now it’s up to lightweight Keyshawn Davis and super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. to end the U.S. gold medal drought in the Olympics.
Davis will face Hovhannes Bachkov of Armenia in the semifinals early Friday ET. Torrez will face No. 1-seeded Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan in the gold medal match early Sunday ET. Jalolov is the reigning amateur World Champion.
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