Richard Torrez Jr. (Tulare, Calif.) TKO3 Kamshybek Kunkabayev (Kazakhstan)... Richard Torrez Jr. (Tulare, Calif.) advanced to the super heavyweight finals, becoming the first American since 1988 to do so. Torrez put on an impressive performance to earn a third-round stoppage over Kamshybek Kunkabayev of Kazakhstan-- who is already an accomplished professional in the cruiserweight division-- to advance to the finals. After taking a 4-1 lead at the conclusion of the first round, Torrez continued to break Kunkabayev down, landing multiple overland lefts. Torrez landed another left hand to knockdown his opponent in the final seconds of the round, resulting in Kukabayev laying on the canvas and receiving an eight count at the sound of the bell. With a commanding 20-17 lead on four of the five scorecards, Torrez still did not ease up on his opponent, who was also deducted one point for excessive holding during the second round. Torrez continued to connect on numerous power shots, landing another left hand, putting Kunkabayev on the canvas yet again and receiving his second eight count. During the left hand, Torrez opened a cut on the Kazakhstan’s nose, leading the ringside physician to say Kunkabayev was no longer fit to fight and giving Torrez the victory and a spot in Sunday’s finals.
Bakhodir Jalolov (Kazakhstan) TKO3 Frazer Clarke (GB)... Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov will face Torrez for the super heavyweight gold. Jalolv defeated Great Britain's Frazer Clarke. The 29 year-old Clarke, who entered the fight with cuts over both eyes from his last fight, tried to pressure the top seed and even handed him a standing count but when the bout was spotted in round three, owing to a cut over Clarke’s eye, the giant Uzbek was ahead on all of the judges’ cards.
It means that Clarke will leave the competition with a bronze medal and continue Great Britain’s super-heavyweight tradition that has seen them win a medal in the heaviest category at five of the last six Olympic Games. Clarke said: “The last six months of my life, I’ve made more sacrifices than I have done over the past 18 years when it comes to boxing. To get in there with one of the best, it’s a pleasure and an honour for me. I’m proud of myself and the whole team. I’m an Olympic bronze medallist, I never saw that happening for me. I’m healthy, my family is healthy, I made the Olympic Games – I couldn’t ask for anything more. I wanted the Olympic final, but my picture is on the wall in Sheffield, I’ve done myself proud and my town proud.”
Hong Ghu (China) W3 Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio)... Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio) lost her semi-final bout but became the first female welterweight Olympic medalist for USA Boxing. Jones, who made history by just qualifying to these Olympics, secured the bronze medal but suffered a 4-1 split decision loss to Hong Gu of China. The welterweight became just the third American female to medal at an Olympic Games, joining Claressa Shields (2012 and 2016 gold medalist) and Marlen Esparza (2012 bronze medalist).
Team USA will have their first shot at Olympic gold when featherweight Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, Ohio) takes on Russian Olympic Committee’s Albert Batyrgaziev. Ragan will take to the ring at approximately 2:30 a.m. EST.
