By Shawn Smith
With only three boxers in this year’s Olympics and a 20-year drought since their last Olympic medal, Canada is desperate for a return to the podium. Things got off on the right foot during Day 6 for Canada, as light welterweight Arthur Biyarslanov impressed against Jordan’s Obada Alkasbeh.
The Chechnya-born Canadian used his size and slick punching to out-point the awkward Alkasbeh over three rounds, taking a unanimous decision. Biyarslanov is considered an outside contender for a medal in the weight division
After a run of bad luck, things appear to be turning around for the Irish boxing team. The early days of the tournament saw medal hopefuls Paddy Barnes and Joe Ward eliminated, along with David Oliver Joyce. As well, Michael O’Reilly failed a drug test and was sent home. With a dazzling performance on Thursday, Steven Gerard Donnelly is looking to be one of Ireland’s medal hopefuls, along with Katie Taylor and Michael Conlan. With his second round victory against Tuvshinbat Byamba, Donnelly secured his spot in the quarterfinals.
The Cubans continued their dominance of the tournament with two more thorough victories. Bantamweight Robeisy Ramirez and welterweight Roniel Igelsias both outpointed their opponents in dominating performances. The Cuban team is poised to medal in numerous divisions as all of their top contenders continue to look good under pressure as the medal rounds loom.
British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi pulled off the upset of the morning with his stunning knockout victory of Uzbekistan’s Elshod Rasulov, who entered the Olympics ranked third in the division. With one punch, Buatsi has become a fighter to watch entering the quarterfinals. He’ll fight next on August 14.
Great Britain will have two more fights today as light welterweight Pat McCormack and welterweight Josh Kelly will both be in competition during the evening session.
Quick Results:
Men’s bantamweight (56kg.): Sangmyeong Ham (KOR) def. Victor Rodriguez (VEN)
Men’s bantamweight (56kg.): Mohamed Hamout (MAR) def. Mukola Butsenko (UKR)
Men’s bantamweight (56kg.): Robeisy Ramirez (CUB) def. Shiva Thapa (IND)
Men’s light welterweight (64kg.): Arthur Biyarslanov (CAN) def. Obada Alkasbeh (JOR)
Men’s light welterweight (64kg.): Batuhan Gozgec (TUR) def. Mahaman Smaila (CMR)
Men’s light welterweight (64kg.): Joedison Teixeira (BRA) def. Abdelkader Chadi (ALG)
Men’s welterweight (69kg.): Mohammed Rabii (MAR) def. Rayton Okwiri (KEN)
Men’s welterweight (69kg.): Steven Donnelly (IRL) def. Tuvshinbat Byamba (MGL)
Men’s welterweight (69kg.): Shakhram Giyasov (UZB) def. Eimantas Stanionis (LTU)
Men’s welterweight (69kg.): Roniel Iglesias (CUB) def. Vladimir Margaryan (ARM)
Men’s light heavyweight (81kg.): Joshua Buatsi (GBR) def. Elshod Rasulov (UZB)
Men’s light heavyweight (81kg.): Abdelhafid Benchabla (ALG) def. Albert Ramirez (VEN)
