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As Olympic boxing is about to return this weekend and hopefully convey us some new iconic, memorable bouts – why not check out these of previous days?
Boxing on the Olympics offers new fighters the chance to get their title on the market and have their abilities seen worldwide.
A few of the sport’s best legends took to the ring to attempt to obtain gold for his or her nation, and we’ll discuss you thru among the finest match-ups:
Cassius Clay (Rome, 1960):
Or, as you would possibly know him, Muhammad Ali.
Broadly considered the best ever in boxing, he started his skilled profession towards Polish boxer Zbigniew Pietrzykowski – who boasted a formidable 231 beginner fights in comparison with Clay’s 108.
Clay ended the struggle victorious; the judges awarded him with a unanimous rating of 5-0, giving him the gold medal and subsequently creating the enduring picture of Clay standing atop the rostrum, victorious.
Sugar Ray Leonard (Montreal, 1976)
Leonard took to the ring for the ultimate in Canada to face Andres Almada from Cuba. Leonard is remembered for his magical footwork, velocity and agility within the boxing world – which he undoubtedly confirmed off throughout this bout.
He recorded two standing eight counts within the third spherical towards his opponent, which noticed him take the gold medal.
Roy Jones Jr (Seoul, 1988)
Seen as a controversial bout to boxing followers, the struggle noticed the gold medal awarded to South Korean boxer Park Si-Hun.
It was later reported that the Korean organisers of the struggle ‘wined and dined’ their option to the gold. Nonetheless, Jones’ profession shortly moved ahead; he gained a heavyweight belt in addition to changing into a four-weight champion and being considered one of many greats to ever enter the ring.
Lennox Lewis (Seoul, 1988)
Lewis represented Canada on the Korean Olympics regardless of being born in London.
He confronted Riddick Bowe within the ultimate – profitable the sport and making a long-standing rivalry with the American, though they by no means confronted one another once more.
Floyd Mayweather (Atlanta, 1996)
‘Cash’ Mayweather had one of many solely disappointing nights of his profession within the American Olympics and noticed one other controversial tie added to the combination.
Mayweather didn’t make the finals of the competitors after shedding to Serafiv Todorov, and even the referee had shock painted on his face as he raised the Bulgarian’s hand as an alternative of Mayweather’s.
Floyd will need to have taken the loss personally, although, as after turning skilled and retiring 50-0, he’d by no means style defeat once more.
Wladimir Klitschko (Atlanta, 1996)
Klitschko confronted up towards Tongan Paea Wolfgramm at this 12 months’s American Olympics.
The Ukranian then, regardless of struggling three defeats in his early profession, went on to dominate the boxing scene in a nine-year reign as champ, with Tyson Fury ending the streak in 2015.
Deontay Wilder (Beijing, 2008)
The Bronze Bomber hasn’t accepted defeat many instances in his profession, nonetheless he misplaced to Italian boxer Clemente Russo within the semi-final, claiming the bronze medal and galvanizing his trademark nickname.
Anthony Joshua (London, 2012)
Standing in entrance of his house crowd and wanting to make a reputation for himself, Joshua gained the hearts of Britain when he beat Italian Roberto Cammarelle within the ultimate.
These days, Joshua, or ‘AJ’ as he’s extra generally identified, is a fan-favourite in his house nation and UK boxing followers now await the announcement of a potential bout between him and his fellow Brit, the two-time heavyweight world champ, Tyson Fury.
Nicola Adams (London, 2012)
A pivotal boxing match within the historical past of the Olympics, being the primary to incorporate girls within the competitors.
Adams made herself fairly a memorable title as she gained gold within the iconic struggle, beating the world No.1 Ren Cancan, and happening to attain one other gold medal in Rio.
She retired in 2019 having gained a professional world title and going unbeaten in six bouts.
Michael Conlan (Rio, 2016)
A problematic struggle in Brazil noticed the Irishman, Conlan, lose to Russian Vladimir Nikitin and proceed to stay his center fingers as much as the cameras.
He branded the governing physique of the game (AIBA) ‘cheats’ – which, after being investigated, noticed them lose their rights to host the Tokyo 2020 boxing match.
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