By Shawn Smith,
Charles Conwell was the only American boxer in action during the night session of day 4 at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and became the first USA fighter to be eliminated.
Matched up against India’s Krishan Vikas, Conwell fought tough and found his groove in the fight, putting up a considerably tougher test than many predicted. However, Vikas used his swift movement and skill to outmatch his American counterpart, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Only 18, Conwell is expected to be the future of USA Boxing at the men’s lightweight division, showing off skill that could be used whether he decided to stay in the amateur ranks or turn professional.
Also in action, former IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng was dominated by 21-year-old Frenchman Sofiane Oumiha, receiving a standing eight count in the second round before finally being stopped in the third round. With Ruenroung’s elimination, all three of the professional boxers who entered the Olympics - Hasaan N’Dam and Carmine Tommasone being the other two - have been eliminated.
Day 5 (August 10) brings another interesting lineup of fights as the USA’s Nico Hernandez and Gary Russell will be in action, along with Great Britian’s Qais Ashfaq.
Quick results:
Men’s lightweight (60kg.): Otgondalai Dorjnyambuu (MGL) def. Enrico Lacruz (NED)
Men’s lightweight (60kg.): Azra Benbaziz (ALG) def. Adlan Abdurashidov (RUS)
Men’s lightweight (60kg.): Sofiane Oumiha (FRA) def. Amnat Ruenroeng (THA)
Men’s lightweight (60kg.): Hosam Abdin (EGY) def. Merven Clair (MRI)
Men's middleweight (75kg.): Hosam Abdin (EGY) def. Merven Clair
Men’s middleweight (75kg.): Krishan Vikas (IND) def. Charles Conwell (USA)
Men's middleweight (60kg.): Onder Sipal (TUR) def. Benny Mizuyo (ZAM)
Men's middleweight (60kg.) Daniel Lewis (AUS) def. Tomasz Joblonski
Men's super heavyweight (91+kg.): Mahammadrasul Majidov (AZE) def. Mohamed Arjaoui (MOR)
"I thought I pulled out the victory. He's a good competitor, a good tough guy but I thought I did enough to pull it out. I can always do better. I'm a fighter so I'm used to going out there and trying to get the feel and go off the momentum of the fight," Conwell said. "I wish nothing but the best to my opponent and I hope he keeps pulling out victories."
Conwell graduated from Cleveland Heights High School just two months ago and spent much of his senior year away from home for competitions and training camps. Although his Olympic run ended sooner than he hoped, Conwell looks forward to returning home to Cleveland and awaiting what's next. "I'm going to go back and enjoy time with family and friends. I've been gone for so long so I want to back and enjoy time with them," he said. "Whatever happens, happens. I'm still going to be training and still working hard, grinding to come back and come harder."
Conwell earned his berth on the U.S. Olympic Team with gold medals at the U.S. Olympic Trials in December and Americas Qualifier in March. Despite his intense travel and training schedule, Conwell managed to graduate on time in June.
Conwell is the second American boxer Vikas has faced in the last two Olympic Games. Vikas initially won his bout over 2012 Olympian and current professional contender Errol Spence Jr. before the bout was overturned in London and Spence was reinstated.
Wednesday's competition will feature two American boxers as light flyweight Nico Hernandez (Wichita, Kansas) competes for a spot on the medal stand against Ecuador's Carlos Eduardo Quipo Palaxti at 5:15 p.m. Brazil time (4:15 p.m.). The quarterfinal match will be Hernandez's third bout of the tournament. Later in the evening session, light welterweight Gary Antuanne Russell (Capitol Heights, Md.) will make his Olympic debut against Haiti's Richardson Hitchins at 6:45 p.m. Brazil time (5:45 p.m. ET)
