Olympics: American Duke Ragan came up just short against Russian Albert Batyrgaziev in the featherweight gold medal match in Tokyo.
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.
Olympics: American Duke Ragan came up just short against Russian Albert Batyrgaziev in the featherweight gold medal match in Tokyo.
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.
U.S. welterweight Oshae Jones lost a decision to Gu Hong of China in the Olympic semifinals, meaning she had to settle for a bronze medal.
U.S. welterweight Oshae Jones will have to settle for a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Toledo, Ohio, fighter, seeded No. 3, was outboxed and lost a 4-1 split decision to No. 2-seeded Gu Hong of China in the semifinals early Wednesday ET time, thus ending Jones’ quest to win a gold medal.
Gu, the taller and more experienced fighter, controlled the fight from the outside, scoring with her long jab and countering effectively. Jones was the aggressor throughout but couldn’t get inside enough to rack up points.
The Chinese fighter won all three rounds in progressively more dominating fashion, 3-2 in Round 1, 4-1 in Round 1 and 5-0 in Round 3. Gu won by scores of 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29.
She will face top-seeded Busenaz Surmeneli for the gold medal early Saturday ET. Surmeneli defeated Lovlina Borgohain of India 5-0 in her semifinal match.
Gu, 32, is a two-time silver medalist in the World Championships.
Jones, who finished 2-1 in the tournament, was the only U.S. woman to earn a medal.
U.S. welterweight Oshae Jones lost a decision to Gu Hong of China in the Olympic semifinals, meaning she had to settle for a bronze medal.
U.S. welterweight Oshae Jones will have to settle for a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Toledo, Ohio, fighter, seeded No. 3, was outboxed and lost a 4-1 split decision to No. 2-seeded Gu Hong of China in the semifinals early Wednesday ET time, thus ending Jones’ quest to win a gold medal.
Gu, the taller and more experienced fighter, controlled the fight from the outside, scoring with her long jab and countering effectively. Jones was the aggressor throughout but couldn’t get inside enough to rack up points.
The Chinese fighter won all three rounds in progressively more dominating fashion, 3-2 in Round 1, 4-1 in Round 1 and 5-0 in Round 3. Gu won by scores of 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29.
She will face top-seeded Busenaz Surmeneli for the gold medal early Saturday ET. Surmeneli defeated Lovlina Borgohain of India 5-0 in her semifinal match.
Gu, 32, is a two-time silver medalist in the World Championships.
Jones, who finished 2-1 in the tournament, was the only U.S. woman to earn a medal.
Olympics: Duke Ragan reached the gold medal match and Keyshawn Davis moved into the semis in another strong day for the U.S.
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.
Olympics: Duke Ragan reached the gold medal match and Keyshawn Davis moved into the semis in another strong day for the U.S.
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.
Good, bad, worse: The U.S. has fared well in Olympics, Jonathan Rice had a big night, and Canelo Alvarez suddenly needs a new foe.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Oshae Jones (left) is one of three Americans who are guaranteed at least a bronze medal in the Olympics. AP Photo / Themba Hadebe
Those who have followed the fortunes of U.S. boxers in recent Olympics know that the Americans have struggled.
The U.S. has won only eight medals total in the past four Games, including three by women since they joined the Olympic family in 2012. Yes, the heady days of the 1976 Olympics (seven medals) and 1984 (11 medals) seem like ancient history.
That’s why the relative success of the current team has been encouraging. As of this writing, the U.S. is guaranteed three medals and have a good chance to clinch a fourth in Tokyo.
The four medals would be the most for Americans since the 2000 Games, when they won two silver and two bronze. That seems to indicate that the U.S. program is moving in the right direction, albeit to a modest degree.
The four U.S. boxers in question are super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr., lightweight Keyshawn Davis, featherweight Duke Ragan and women’s welterweight Oshae Jones. Here’s what’s next for them:
Torrez, from Tulare, Calif., became the first U.S. super heavyweight to win a medal since Riddick Bowe won the silver medal in the 1988 Games. He will face Kamshybek Kunkabayev of Kazakhstan in the semifinals late Tuesday U.S. time.
Davis, from Norfolk, Va., will take on Gabil Mamedov of the Russian Olympic Committee in a quarterfinal match late Monday U.S. time.
Ragan, from Cincinnati, will face Samuel Takyi of Ghana in the semis on Tuesday evening U.S. time.
And Jones, from Toledo, Ohio, will fight Gu Hong of China in her semifinal bout late Tuesday U.S. time.
Davis, a gold medal favorite, has a good chance of defeating Mamedov to give the U.S. four guaranteed medals, which would equal the 2000 Games. And if at least two of the four become Olympic champion, that would be the most gold medals won by the U.S. since they took home three in 1988.
Yes, there’s reason to be optimistic going into the medal rounds.
***
BAD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETP8LB4ADs&t=2s
Michael Coffie’s bad is Jonathan Rice’s good.
The then-unbeaten Coffie was on a roll going into their heavyweight fight Saturday in Newark, N.J., having stopped his last three opponents. That included a brutal third-round stoppage of Darmani Rock in January.
Coffie has little experience, though. The former U.S. Marine turned professional at 31 and has only 30-plus fights – amateur and pro – under his belt. One wondered whether that would catch up to him at some point.
It did on Saturday.
Rice, a late replacement for Gerald Washington, entered the fight having lost his previous two bouts and six overall but he fought like a man who is hungry to make his mark with the ability to pull it off.
Quick and athletic for his size, Rice overwhelmed Coffie, picking him apart with long, hard punches until the favorite going into the fight could take no more in Round 5.
That’s called taking advantage of an unusual opportunity. Rice is still a few steps from becoming a legitimate title contender but he stopped an unbeaten prospect on national television, which is a step in the right direction.
He might have the ability to make some noise if he lets his hands go as he did on Saturday, which is something that was lacking in previous fights.
Coffie? The 35-year-old can’t magically gain the fundamental foundation he lacks but you can bet he won’t give up. He’ll use his setback as a painful learning experience and come back for more.
***
WORSE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_bIQkmMZkg
I don’t know if this is “worse” or “good.”
Canelo Alvarez appeared to be all but set to face Caleb Plant in a 168-pound title-unification fight on Sept. 18, but negotiations broke off last week and the fight is dead.
There goes Alvarez’s desire to become undisputed super middleweight champion. And Plant, the IBF champ, loses out on a dream fight against a pound-for-pound powerhouse and a huge payday.
The fight was compelling and I believe Plant had a chance to win. At the same time, Alvarez had all the advantages.
Now what?
Alvarez’s team reportedly has been in contact with 175-pound titleholder Dmitry Bivol, who doesn’t have a fight in the works. The Russian would presumably defend his belt against Alvarez, although they could fight at a catch weight.
Another question is the date. Alvarez will be motived to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend, but that’s only six-plus weeks away, which allows both parties limited time to prepare.
Still, that matchup seems to be the best option for Alvarez at the moment. And almost everyone would agree that Bivol is a tougher opponent than Plant for the Mexican star.
Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) is bigger, stronger, more experienced at an elite level and simply better than Plant, as he has demonstrated in victories over Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba, Jean Pascal and Joe Smith Jr.
Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) knocked out Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a 175-pound title in 2019 but he had a difficult time until the stoppage and Kovalev was past his prime. Bivol, 30, presents a stiffer challenge.
Indeed, Alvarez could lose to Bivol, which is a positive. Fans want to see the pound-for-pounder face a genuine threat.
Good, bad, worse: The U.S. has fared well in Olympics, Jonathan Rice had a big night, and Canelo Alvarez suddenly needs a new foe.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Oshae Jones (left) is one of three Americans who are guaranteed at least a bronze medal in the Olympics. AP Photo / Themba Hadebe
Those who have followed the fortunes of U.S. boxers in recent Olympics know that the Americans have struggled.
The U.S. has won only eight medals total in the past four Games, including three by women since they joined the Olympic family in 2012. Yes, the heady days of the 1976 Olympics (seven medals) and 1984 (11 medals) seem like ancient history.
That’s why the relative success of the current team has been encouraging. As of this writing, the U.S. is guaranteed three medals and have a good chance to clinch a fourth in Tokyo.
The four medals would be the most for Americans since the 2000 Games, when they won two silver and two bronze. That seems to indicate that the U.S. program is moving in the right direction, albeit to a modest degree.
The four U.S. boxers in question are super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr., lightweight Keyshawn Davis, featherweight Duke Ragan and women’s welterweight Oshae Jones. Here’s what’s next for them:
Torrez, from Tulare, Calif., became the first U.S. super heavyweight to win a medal since Riddick Bowe won the silver medal in the 1988 Games. He will face Kamshybek Kunkabayev of Kazakhstan in the semifinals late Tuesday U.S. time.
Davis, from Norfolk, Va., will take on Gabil Mamedov of the Russian Olympic Committee in a quarterfinal match late Monday U.S. time.
Ragan, from Cincinnati, will face Samuel Takyi of Ghana in the semis on Tuesday evening U.S. time.
And Jones, from Toledo, Ohio, will fight Gu Hong of China in her semifinal bout late Tuesday U.S. time.
Davis, a gold medal favorite, has a good chance of defeating Mamedov to give the U.S. four guaranteed medals, which would equal the 2000 Games. And if at least two of the four become Olympic champion, that would be the most gold medals won by the U.S. since they took home three in 1988.
Yes, there’s reason to be optimistic going into the medal rounds.
***
BAD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETP8LB4ADs&t=2s
Michael Coffie’s bad is Jonathan Rice’s good.
The then-unbeaten Coffie was on a roll going into their heavyweight fight Saturday in Newark, N.J., having stopped his last three opponents. That included a brutal third-round stoppage of Darmani Rock in January.
Coffie has little experience, though. The former U.S. Marine turned professional at 31 and has only 30-plus fights – amateur and pro – under his belt. One wondered whether that would catch up to him at some point.
It did on Saturday.
Rice, a late replacement for Gerald Washington, entered the fight having lost his previous two bouts and six overall but he fought like a man who is hungry to make his mark with the ability to pull it off.
Quick and athletic for his size, Rice overwhelmed Coffie, picking him apart with long, hard punches until the favorite going into the fight could take no more in Round 5.
That’s called taking advantage of an unusual opportunity. Rice is still a few steps from becoming a legitimate title contender but he stopped an unbeaten prospect on national television, which is a step in the right direction.
He might have the ability to make some noise if he lets his hands go as he did on Saturday, which is something that was lacking in previous fights.
Coffie? The 35-year-old can’t magically gain the fundamental foundation he lacks but you can bet he won’t give up. He’ll use his setback as a painful learning experience and come back for more.
***
WORSE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_bIQkmMZkg
I don’t know if this is “worse” or “good.”
Canelo Alvarez appeared to be all but set to face Caleb Plant in a 168-pound title-unification fight on Sept. 18, but negotiations broke off last week and the fight is dead.
There goes Alvarez’s desire to become undisputed super middleweight champion. And Plant, the IBF champ, loses out on a dream fight against a pound-for-pound powerhouse and a huge payday.
The fight was compelling and I believe Plant had a chance to win. At the same time, Alvarez had all the advantages.
Now what?
Alvarez’s team reportedly has been in contact with 175-pound titleholder Dmitry Bivol, who doesn’t have a fight in the works. The Russian would presumably defend his belt against Alvarez, although they could fight at a catch weight.
Another question is the date. Alvarez will be motived to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend, but that’s only six-plus weeks away, which allows both parties limited time to prepare.
Still, that matchup seems to be the best option for Alvarez at the moment. And almost everyone would agree that Bivol is a tougher opponent than Plant for the Mexican star.
Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) is bigger, stronger, more experienced at an elite level and simply better than Plant, as he has demonstrated in victories over Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba, Jean Pascal and Joe Smith Jr.
Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) knocked out Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a 175-pound title in 2019 but he had a difficult time until the stoppage and Kovalev was past his prime. Bivol, 30, presents a stiffer challenge.
Indeed, Alvarez could lose to Bivol, which is a positive. Fans want to see the pound-for-pounder face a genuine threat.
Olympics: American boxers Richard Torrez Jr. and Duke Ragan won their fights to earn at least bronze medals in the Tokyo Games.
The U.S. men had an impressive day in Olympic boxing.
Super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. and featherweight Duke Ragan won their matches in the quarterfinals to guarantee themselves at least a bronze medal, the third Americans to do so thus far. They join women’s welterweight Oshae Jones, who earned a spot in the semis earlier.
Torrez overcame a slow start and a cut to outpoint Cuban Dainier, who had defeated Torrez in the 2019 Pan American Games. The resident of Tulare, Calif., lost the first round on the cards of four of the five judges but picked up his pace and outworked a fading Dainier the rest of the way to win a 4-1 split decision early Sunday U.S. time.
Four judges had Torrez winning 29-28, one scored it for Pero by the same score.
The U.S.’ Duke Ragan (left) earned at least a bronze medal by outpointing Kurt Walker of Ireland. Andrew P. Scott / USA TODAY Sports
Thus, Torrez becomes the first U.S. super heavyweight to win a medal since Riddick Bowe won the silver medal in the 1988 Games.
Next up for Torrez is Kamshybek Kunkabayev of Kazakhstan in the semifinals late Tuesday U.S. time.
Meanwhile, Ragan, from Cincinnati, defeated Irishman Kurt Walker by a 3-2 split decision late Saturday night U.S. time.
Ragan, fighting behind a stiff jab, got off to a quick start by winning the opening round on all five cards and then held off a gallant effort from Walker, who fought Rounds 2 and 3 with a bad cut over his right eye.
All five judges had scores of 29-28, three of which went to Ragan, who will face Samuel Takyi of Ghana in the semis on Tuesday evening U.S. time.
Also coming up for the Americans: Keyshawn Davis of Alexandria, Va., will face Gabil Mamedov of the Russian Olympic Committee in a quarterfinal match late Monday U.S. time; and Jones faces Gu Hong of China in her semifinal bout late Tuesday U.S. time.
