Bakhodir Jalolov claimed his second consecutive Olympic super-heavyweight gold medal at Roland Garros on Saturday.
The towering Uzbek beat Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa in dominant trend, handing his opponent two standing counts in simply the primary spherical as he swept to a unanimous resolution victory.
That ultimate was the final contest of the match at Paris 2024 and, at current, it stands to be the final ever Olympic boxing bout.
However the Olympics might be waving goodbye to boxing
The game has not been included within the programme for the subsequent Video games in 2028, because it at the moment has no recognised governing physique.
IBA, the federation that traditionally ran the worldwide novice sport, has been banned from administering the Olympic competitors. The IOC is adamant that boxing may solely return to the Olympics below the jurisdiction of a brand new federation.
A brand new organisation, World Boxing, has been shaped that hopes to avoid wasting the Olympic sport, however time is operating out.
Australia’s Caitlin Parker, who obtained her middleweight bronze at Saturday’s medal ceremony, stated: “I feel it is so vital to have boxing on the subsequent Olympics. It is one of many oldest Olympic sports activities. I feel we confirmed at the moment and all through this entire competitors how vital boxing is. It is in style, it brings folks in and I simply assume folks must be sure that it occurs.
“I’ll keep speaking to it because it’s every kid’s dream. It was my dream and to be here at my second Olympics and on the podium, it’s a dream come true.
“And I would like that to occur for different folks as effectively.”
China’s Olympic champion Li Qian lent her voice to that campaign, adding simply but clearly: “I second that.”
A dominant super-heavyweight
Jalolov put on a clinic to win what could be boxing’s last ever Olympic gold medal.
He measured Ghadfa out with long southpaw jabs and picked his moments to unleash heavy straight lefts.
A big cross handed the Spaniard a standing count in the first round. Jalolov then leapt in, attempting to strike while Ghadfa was vulnerable, but he wandered accidently on to a right from Ghadfa.
That, though, prompted a fierce response and another hard hit gave the Spaniard a second count on the bell.
He stayed on his feet but did not gain a foothold in the contest.
Jalolov continued his aggressive approach in the second round. He confused Ghadfa, launching his left then sending in a solid right. The Spaniard was not ready for those shots and they clocked him cleanly.
The Uzbek was controlling him, rocking Ghadfa back with a left hook, a shot he repeated to close out the round.
He, however, neglected to go for a grandstand finish. Rather than look for a knockout, he made sure he left no room for error.
Jalolov did not hurry himself. He let Ghadfa look for openings only to punish the Spaniard with stern counter-punches as boxed through to his unanimous decision victory.
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