United States

Brazilian Wins Lightweight Gold; US Boxer Through to Semis

American Shakur Stevenson advanced to the semis, but countryman Gary Russell lost his own quarterfinal in Rio Tuesday

Brazilian boxer Robson Conceicao won the lightweight gold medal in Rio Tuesday, taking all three rounds from Frenchman Sofiane Oumiha.

Conceicao dazzled in front of the roaring, dancing, chanting fans that about packed the 9,000-seat arena and gave the boxing tournament its first true big-fight feel.

It was the main event on a 19-fight card that also saw American Shakur Stevenson win his quarterfinals bantamweight match against Tsendbaatar Erdenebat from Mongolia.

With the 3-0 win, Stevenson advanced to the semifinals and is guaranteed at least bronze. In boxing, there is no third-place match β€” both semifinal losers win a bronze medal.

Stevenson, a nineteen-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, will face off against Russia's Vladimir Nikitin on Thursday, Aug. 18. 

Stevenson cruised to a unanimous decision in his first Olympic bout against Brazilian fighter Robenilson de Jesus

The U.S. only qualified in six of 10 weight divisions for the Olympic Games and has not produced a men’s Olympic champion since 2004.

Another American, Gary Russell, lost his quartrefinals welterweight match to Uzbekistan's Fazliddin Gaibanzarov 3-1.

Nicola Adams, the British flyweight who won the first gold medal in Olympic women's boxing history, opened the slate Monday with her first bout of the tournament. She beat Tetyana Kob of Ukraine 3-0.

The Brazilian fans counted down the final seconds of the lightweight final and waved their flags in celebration when it was over.

When Conceicao had his hand raised, he dropped to his knees as the crowd absolutely erupted and shook the bleachers.

Conceicao stood on the ropes of two corners, pumped his fists and saluted the fans. He swept the scorecards 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.

Mongolian fighter Otgondalai Dorjnyambuu and Cuban fighter Lazaro Alvarez won bronze.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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