The 2016 Olympics has officially ended and on the last day, boxing handed the last four set of medals.
Michigan native Claressa Shields became the first boxer in United States history to win two Olympic gold medals, claiming the women’s middleweight gold in Rio, just as she did four years ago in London. She defeated Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands in a very solid performance, easily taking all three rounds. Her victory pretty much solidified her as the best pound-for-pound women's amateur boxer in the world in the past five years. Now the question for her is going to be whether or not she is going to turn pro and she is getting interest from multiple parties. Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions is known to be interested. Floyd Mayweather, a fellow Michigander who has long supported boxing in his native state, would likely be interested, too.
Shakhobidin Zoirov continued the strong run for the Uzbekistan team in Rio, winning the gold medal at flyweight in a very close bout with Russia’s Misha Aloyan. Zoirov won all three judges’ scorecards, 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, taking the fight with an unanimous third frame. The light welterweight gold medal, along with the flyweight and light flyweight gold medals, is going back with the Uzbekistan team, as Fazliddin Gaibnazarov picked up the country’s third boxing gold medal with a split decision win over Lorenzo Sotomayor of Azerbaijan. Uzbekistan finishes with three boxing gold medals, tied for most with Cuba.
Now we move onto the controversial result of the day. Frenchman Tony Yoka is your men's super heavyweight gold medalist after being awarded a split decision victory over Joe Joyce of Great Britian. Boxing fans are not exactly thrilled with the result as Joyce outworked and outlanded Yoka. He did more damage, dropped Yoka, had him hurt a few times, and none of it wound up mattering. One judge managed a 30-27 score for Yoka, another had him at 29-28. The third had Joyce, 29-28.
It is a shame that is the last fight of the Olympics, but it seems somewhat appropriate, considering all the questionable scoring done throughout these Olympics.
Here is the Olympic boxing results for the final day of competition:
Women’s middleweight (75kg) - FINAL
Claressa Shields (United States) def. Nouchka Fontijn (Netherlands)
Men’s flyweight (52kg) - FINAL
Shakhobidin Zoirov (Uzbekistan) def. Misha Aloyan (Russia)
Men’s light welterweight (64kg) - FINAL
Fazliddin Gaibnazarov (Uzbekistan) def. Lorenzo Sotomayor (Azerbaijan)
Men’s super heavyweight (91+kg) - FINAL
Tony Yoka (France) def. Joe Joyce (Great Britain)
