Who To Watch In Olympic Boxing at Tokyo 2020 + Team USA Team Breakdown
A Guide To Everything You Need To Know To Follow Boxing At The Olympics This Year
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Conversation with legendary boxing manager Mike Altamura
Boxing will take place from July 24th-August 8th, with the medal rounds starting August 3rd, and concluding on the last day of the Olympics on August 8th.
Here are some quick thoughts on each of the fighters on the team.
TEAM USA
Men
Duke Ragan, featherweight
Duke is in a weird spot as he lost at the Olympic Trials to the eventual winner, Bruce Carrington, and runner-up, David Navarro, who recently turned pro. Despite that, Ragan was ranked in the top-15 of the world rankings, and despite being signed with Top Rank Inc, Ragan had the chance to represent Team USA this summer, in the Olympics, and jumped at the chance.
Over the past few years, Ragan has had good success in international competition but struggled in the finals. This makes Ragan a great unknown as he has handled international competition well, but due to his performance at the 2019 Olympic Trials is off-the-radar of most
Ragan is a fighter who is constantly underestimated, overlooked at times, a hardworking fighter, who lets his fighting do the talking for him, as he holds wins over Ruben Villa, Otha Jones, amongst many other great fighters. One concern is Ragan has more of a pro-style already which could lead to unfavorable cards in close fights, as Ragan looks to sit on his punches and land more meaningful hard shots, and less so about volume.
Ragan is someone to not underestimate, as it seems he thrives off being counted out.
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Jamel Herring, not in terms of frame, but with his ability to really work on the inside, and target the body. Ragan has a great left hook to the body.
Keyshawn Davis, lightweight
The most popular U.S. Olympian this year is Keyshawn Davis, who has already let his star be seen on multiple professional cards, and made inroads to fame by being Shakur Stevenson's sparring partner for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Davis by many experts is seen as the true blue-chip fighter of this year, Olympic class.
Davis is a walk you down, DMV (Delaware/Maryland/Virginia) fighter, who has been influenced by Shakur Stevenson's cerebral approach to boxing, creating a merger in styles. Davis is already fighting undefeated and accomplished pros early in his career in his own professional career and looks to be on the men's side of the U.S. team the favorite to medal along with Richard Torrez, with Davis' chief Olympic rival being Cuba's Andy Cruz, who has beaten Davis more than Davis has beaten him.
Davis, who was removed from the team late last year, and replaced in favor of Brisbane, Ca's Charlie Sheehy, now returns to the team with his top-15 world ranking. Davis should be a breakout star of the Olympic Games.
Pro Boxer Equivalent: LaMont Peterson, an aggressive come forward fighter who has the ability to box.
Delante "Tiger" Johnson, welterweight
A year-and-a-half ago a close friend of mine, Prenice Brewer, a former professional boxer, who is now a great trainer, called me out of the blue. He told me to drive down to Oxnard, California, and see "Tiger" Johnson. I did, and I was impressed. Johnson qualified for the Olympic Trials, at the last qualification event for the Olympic Trials, and stood out.
Johnson is one of our most talented fighters in the country and has a high ceiling when it comes to his potential. Johnson has great distance control, but very cerebral with the ability to hit people and make them pay.
When Johnson fights this summer you should watch, as Johnson has the chance to be one of the best fighters out of this Olympic class, as he has the talent, boxing IQ, and skill to become a generational talent.
Johnson also holds the distinction of being the only male Olympian from this class to win the Olympic Trials by fighting each bout (Keyshawn Davis got a walkover in the finals) and make the team, as Johnson is supremely talented, and from Cleveland, Ohio, a place that seemingly births great boxers, decade after decade.
Johnson joins Ricardo Williams Jr, Terrell Gausha, and Charles Conwell, like Cleveland, Ohio-based boxers, to qualify for the Olympics, with only Williams Jr. winning a medal, a silver to be exact in the 2000 Olympics.
Johnson has a very strong chance of medaling with the only two factors playing against him being inactivity due to COVID-19, and that Johnson at times fights in a more pro-style looking to land cleaner punches, and less about the volume, as world-level amateur boxing can often come down to who throws the most landed punches as opposed to the most meaningful punches.
“My struggles are my stripes, and I wear them on my back so that the people around me can see that even when you’re living in a jungle, you can still chase your dreams,” said a passionate Johnson via press release. “I am not only doing this for my city but for my two coaches, Dante Benjamin Sr. and Clint Martin, whom I lost during my journey to these Games.”
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Ricardo Williams Jr., defense meets offense.
Troy Isley, Middleweight
Toughness personified. Coach Kay Koroma's project from the ground up, Troy Isley is now an Olympian, as his international success including a win over Israil Madrimov, a now top-rated professional being fast-tracked to a world title, proves that Isley can win internationally.
Isley, who lost in the Olympic Trials to Javier Martinez, a fighter who was his main rival during the amateurs, and was a bit older than Isley, as well as Joseph Hicks, a very good fighter, who always got overlooked in comparison to Martinez and Isley, but came in runner-up at Olympic Trials.
Isley turned pro with Top Rank Inc, and Martinez despite winning at the Olympic Trials, saw Joseph Hicks get the nod for the qualification team, then COVID-19 happened, tons of confusion, and now we're at a point in which we're going off-world rankings to qualify, in which Isley still has a tremendous world ranking in amateur boxing.
Isley is a solid boxer, but what makes him special is his aggression, and willingness to inflict pain. Since the first time I saw Isley, I thought to myself, "he will be a good pro." Isley has a real chance to medal since he is playing with house money going into the Olympics and in a fairly open division. Isley is someone you should watch as I feel he will be one of the major names of this wave of Olympians.
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Dwight Qawi, an inside fighter who is tough, relentless, and skilled.
Richard Torrez Jr., super heavyweight
The captain of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, Richard Torrez Jr. of Tulare, California, was long thought to be a favorite for a medal, and still, I believe most think that, yet a brutal KO loss to Bakhodir Jalolov, a current pro signed to DiBella Entertainment, in September of 2019, has now raised some questions, as well as ethical questions around amateur boxing, allowing seasoned pros to fight amateurs.
Torrez Jr. has been the most dominant men's super heavyweight since Riddick Bowe and Tyrell Biggs, which is quite a compliment as those two are Olympic medalists, fighting in the '80s, Biggs winning gold in 1984, and Bowe winning a silver in 1988, and can't recall another American super heavyweight with as much excitement around himself as Torrez, not even Deontay Wilder in 2008.
Torrez Jr., a tad undersized at the weight class at 6-foot-2-inches tall, by modern super heavyweight standards, is an explosive power-puncher who seemingly stopped most of his American rivals outside of Amisel Jimenez and Jeremiah Milton, in the amateurs.`Torrez Jr. has been the man to beat, and no one could do it, even after his loss in 2019, but after his loss to Jalolov, we now have to see what is next for the generational super heavyweight as he has fought just a selective few times since making the team, after a box-off in early 2020.
Torrez Jr. not unlike Johnson, and Davis is a fighter I am expecting to medal in the Olympics.
Torrez Jr should be a major focus of the telecast and content leading up to the Olympics, as he is a magician, a pro boxer, vlogger, and flat-out interesting person.
“Everyone is happy they’re going to the Olympics, it’s everyone’s dream, but I need to be there,” said Torrez Jr via press release. “The fire that was instilled in me before I could even walk, that drives me to be the best, the fire that has been in my family for generations, has overflowed. It has set ablaze all my second options, and it has made ashes of any other possibility besides that of success.”
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Joe Frazier, the small big man, uses his smaller frame to make a hard target and press forward, bullies the bigger men.
Women's
Virginia "Ginny" Fuchs, flyweight
The USA Boxing women's team might be the best squad in the world, and Ginny Fuchs is one of the key components. Fuchs, a close friend of 2016 Olympian Mikaela Mayer, is 8-1 in international competition, and as a southpaw, who is one of the most fundamentally sound fighters on the team, and will be a tough out for anyone.
Her lone loss during 2020 was to a Bulgarian fighter, in Bulgaria, and by split decision, so for those keeping track at home, they might be able to read between the lines there.
Fuchs is a to me, a sure-shot to medal, and one of our best chances to win gold.
Fuchs is the most experienced fighter on the team with documented international experience dating back to 2013, and world-class coaching staff around her with Kay Koroma.
Fuchs is a potential breakout star of the Olympics as a good run in the Olympics, combined with her battles with OCD, could make for great on-air segments, that could vault her in a position to be a story arch for coverage around these games.
In terms of on-television coverage, I am expecting Ginny Fuchs, Keyshawn Davis, and Richard Torrez Jr. to be the fighters that we see the most coverage around from Team USA, and I believe all will deliver.
Who knows if Fuchs will go pro, but this Olympic run for Fuchs, should be a fun one to watch, as the LSU-grad, and Texas native, has worked most of her adult life to fulfill this dream.
“I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. I am so excited I can finally call myself an Olympian,” said Fuchs via press release. “With all this world has been through and having to postpone the Olympics a whole year, I am proud to say I am one of the participants in what will be known as the most recognized Olympics in history. I am ready to represent my country in the most respected way and bring home the gold!”
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Mikaela Mayer, despite a different frame and build, Fuchs holds a lot of the same concepts of distance control and movement that make Mayer one of the best female fighters currently in the sport of boxing.
Yarisel Ramirez, Featherweight
Yarisel Ramirez is in a tough spot. She lost the Olympic Trials, which was inevitable won by Lupe Gutierrez, and then Andrea Medina, went on to get the Olympic spot, and showed to be one of Team USA’s strongest fighters internationally.
Ramirez had a strong campaign in 2019, not unlike Ragan, and Isley, so she is on the team-based upon the world rankings, that being said the Cuban born boxer now living in Las Vegas, Nevada, has some ground to make up, as at the Olympic Trials she lost to two pressure fighters in Andrea Medina (who can box as well), and Isamary Aquino.
Ramirez has faired alright in international competition, with one stoppage win that is notable in 2015, with her record in the past six years internationally being 5-5. Ramirez has her back against the wall, no fault of her own, as she is a solid boxer, and fighter, but will have to make up a lot of ground in a short period of time, as she didn’t compete internationally all of last, as Andrea Medina did, and like mentioned before was one of the strongest on our team.
Pro Comparison: Erislandy Lara, fights behind the jab with straight punches, and likes to keep the distance to be most effective.
Rashida Ellis, lightweight
The sister, to two pro boxers, Golden Boy Promotions' welterweight Rashidi "Speedy" Ellis, and super middleweight Ronald Ellis, Rashida Ellis is looking to show why boxing is the family business for the Massachusetts boxing family.
The tough part is Ellis is in one of the hardest divisions, and even worse a current world champion Maiva Hamadouche, IBF women's super featherweight world champion, is fighting at this division, as she beat Ellis this summer. Ellis went 5-3 over the course of 2020 in international competition, but has all the traits of an elite fighter who can medal, but has to put together a great tournament, not unlike her USA Boxing teammate, who didn't make the team, Andrea Medina, who had one of the most impressive runs of 2020, and sadly we won't get to see.
Ellis will have a tough path to medal but has the skills, pedigree, and a wealth of experience dating back with a decade worth of high-level amateur bouts, and international experience stemming from 2015-onward.
“Qualifying for the Olympics has been one of my deepest dreams,” said Ellis via press release through USA Boxing. “I never doubt my ability. I have stopped being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right. So, I embrace my mistakes and learn from them, as my mistakes have helped me improve and reach the Olympics. I don’t do easy; I make things happen. The hard work and dedication with effort and determination, I can succeed.”
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Natasha Jonas, a well-rounded fighter that will be live against anyone.
Oshae Jones, middleweight
Oshae Jones was one of, if not the most dominant women's boxer in America, prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, and will more than likely draw comparisons to the greatest women's boxer in amateur boxing history, Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Jones went 6-0 in international competition in 2020 and is poised to at the very least medal, though we have high hopes that she can bring back the gold medal for USA Boxing. Oshae Jones is a good body-puncher along with a southpaw and presents many different problems for fighters. On top of this, her father Otha Jones II, and brother Roshawn Jones, coached Charles Conwell in 2016, who was an Olympian, so this is the second consecutive Olympic year they will participate.
That is a huge confidence boost as Jones will have an experienced team both at Team USA Boxing and with her family who got her to this point as well. Jones is a must-see television fighter and will make for great pro fights, once her amateur career is over.
“I may only take up one spot, but my one spot represents so much,” said Jones who looks to be a symbol of hope for her community. “I’m beyond grateful for the chance to represent women, African Americans, my small city of Toledo, but most importantly, my country.”
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Mike McCallum, a southpaw who breaks opponents down systematically with an attack centered around the body and the opponent’s conditioning.
Naomi Graham, heavyweight
Often overlooked and underrated Naomi Graham put together one of the best runs of any of the Olympians, post-COVID-19 shutdowns, and compiled a stellar international record of 11-1, and silently is one of the odds on favorites to win gold at Tokyo 2021, despite not being brought up often.
Naomi Graham, who is also a member of the United States Army, has been fighting at a high level of competition for six years and fighting internationally since 2018. Graham has a lot of experience and is extremely confident at the right time, I feel Graham is all but assured to win a medal, but for her - we're hoping to see her in the finals to pick up gold or silver, as Graham is truly one of the most dominant fighters in her division, sadly her division often just doesn't get respect.
Her biggest opposition is Lauren Price, who is the favorite to medal.
“It feels unreal that I am going to the Olympics,” Graham exclaimed via press release. “I continue to surprise myself by finding my own limits, and then having the courage to blow past them.”
Pro Boxer Equivalent: Franchón Crews-Dezurn, a mix of power and skill at the higher weights
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This is a preview of the 2020 Olympics in the sport of boxing taking place in the Summer of 2021, by your boy Lukie.
Men's Boxing
Super Heavyweight
Favorites: Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan), Richard Torrez Jr. (United States)
Bakhodir Jalolov is a resounding favorite as he is undefeated as a professional with eight wins, all by knockout. The southpaw, who is six-foot-seven-inches tall has a lot to like. Beyond that, Jalolov's last recorded loss was a split decision loss in 2017, to Kamshybek Kunkabayev, in Germany, and 2016 loss to world title contender Joe Joyce. Beyond all of this, Jalolov knocked out Richard Torrez Jr., in September of 2019, and Torrez was viewed as one of, if not, the best in the world.
See Bio In Team USA Section
Live Dogs: Mourad Aliev (France), Frazer Clarke (Great Brittan)
Aliev is a big puncher, who when facing overmatched competition shows traits of Artur Beterbiev, but when facing tough competition knows how to win ugly, which is a skill. The French have invested heavily into boxing, and showing major developments as in 2016 Tony Yoka of France won the Gold medal, and even though Aliev might not win that I wouldn't be surprised to see him a medal. Aliev should be a good pro.
Clarke is well-rounded though nothing jumps off the page, it is hard not to compare him to Joe Joyce as he has solid fundamentals and can push his opponents back as well. In the past two Olympics, U.K. has done well with Anthony Joshua winning gold, and Joe Joyce getting a silver. Clarke on the world stage has come up a bit short against the true elite.
Heavyweight
Favorites: Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (Russia), Julio César La Cruz (Cuba)
The career amateur division
Muslim Gadzhimagomedov is a well-rounded solid fighter, and despite this being in my opinion one of the most interesting divisions, sadly I can see a lot of these fighters ending up in the abyss that is the cruiserweight division in which more people tell you about the fights than you're able to see them, Gadzhimagomedov is beyond noteworthy. At roughly, six-foot-five-inches, and 24-years-old, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov is a straight punch machine and has a good bounce for a big man. He also hasn't lost since 2017 which was to Bektemir "Bek The Bully" Melikuziev as well as a loss to Joseph Ward that same year, a bit prior.
Julio César La Cruz is a fighter that if you love watching defensive masters, he is one to watch. Matchroom USA prospect Khalil Coe a/k/a "The Big Steppa" announced his arrival to the boxing world by KO'ing him at the 2018 Chemistry Cup. That being said, La Cruz will be tough to beat and may just be the fastest fighter in this division with some of the most experienced as well. I don’t see Cruz making an exciting pro boxer.
Live Dogs: Vassiliy Levit (Kazakhstan), Radoslav Pantaleev (Bulgaria),
Levit is a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, as the man who throws every punch with bad intentions and never takes a backward step will look to make the 2020 Olympics, a memorable one. Levit's style is straightforward pressure with some subtle feints as he looks to wear on you with power and push a fast pace to question your conditioning.
Pantaleev is mauling and tough, as his style is simple - be stronger than his opponent and put a ton of pressure on them. Pantaleev has a style, but in a very raw sense to a Murat Gassiev, as he relies upon his power to change fights and never backs down. Pantaleev will need to have a career-defining tournament to medal, but if managed right, will be a solid pro.
Light Heavyweight
Favorites: Dilshodbek Ruzmetov (Uzbekistan), Benjamin Whittaker (England),
Ruzmetov is the type of guy who can disrupt a tournament bracket, with smart pressure, a southpaw stance, good volume, and a pro-ready style. The major issue I see is that the amateur game at this level might not be suited for him anymore as the volume could be his kryptonite if people can take his punch with the big gloves. Ruzmetov could be a very good pro, and I have him circled as someone to watch for - not just in the Olympics, but moving forward as a professional.
Whittaker looks to be one of England's stars of the event and should parlay a good event, into a lucrative professional career as he has the chance to get a whole nation behind him, at a higher weight class. Whittaker seemingly loves to put himself on the ropes at times, which will be a problem in the pros, but his volume, and movement should carry him into the medal rounds. Whittaker also has the perfect style to get robbed or for someone to debate the validity of his win.
I see Whittaker as one of the future stars of boxing in the U.K.
Live Dogs: Bekzad Nurdauletov (Kaz), Arlan Lopez (Cuba), Rogelio Romero (Mexico)
Despite the #2 ranking and world-level success, I have Nurdauletov as a dog, rather than a favorite as his hop-in, hop-out style with his chin a bit high in the air for me, makes him prone to be upset. That being said, his southpaw stance, high-level IQ, and ability to control the action could see him medaling or winning the tournament. Nurdauletov is what I like to call a career amateur who will need to do a lot to convert to the pros.
Arlan Lopez
Lopez is a solid counter puncher, who is one of the rare Cuban who is willing to fight on the inside. Arlan has the potential to be a special fighter since he can box but also has the dog in him to be great. This Olympic Games will show a lot about what Lopez wants from the sport of boxing as his division is open to whoever wants to take it.
Rogelio Romero
Romero, who is rumored to train with Eddy Reynoso after the Olympics, is an interesting fighter to watch, as he will be a fighter most will want to sign is that he is a Mexican Olympian in the higher weight classes. I am not sure he will medal, but I know a lot of his professional fights will be on television.
Middleweight
Favorites: Gleb Bakshi (Russia), Oleksandr Khyzhniak (Ukraine)
Oleksandr Khyzhniak hasn't lost since 2016, and fights a lot like Ievgen Khytrov, an all-action guy, who will need to improve his defense to get to the next level as a pro. Khyzhniak will be a hard fight for anyone.
Gleb Bakashi seems to be the most well-rounded and versatile fighter in the division. Bakashi is not unbeatable, and definitely has lost fights he should've won, but he fights pretty much the same in each and every fight, with his flaw being sometimes he starts a tad bit slow, which is a professional habit.
Live Dogs: Troy Isley (United States), Ashish Kumar (India)
See Team USA Bio
Ashish Kumar will give anyone an honest day of work as he is unpredictable, and hard to time or plan for, and add to that India has deeply invested in their amateur boxing program. Kumar thrives in chaos and is a disrupter, and though he can be outboxed, he can also be a difficult outing for anyone on any given day and seems like a fighter who rises to the occasion.
Welterweight
Favorite: Andrey Zamkovoy (Russia), Pat McCormack (England)
Andrey Zamkovoy is a seasoned veteran having fought in the 2012 Olympics, and defeating Errol Spence Jr. Zamkovoy has the experience and understands the amateur game well. Though it is doubtful we will ever see 34-year-old Zamkovoy turn professional or if he does for a meaningful extent, this Olympic Games will be his capstone to his career and should see him fight to his limits. Zamkovoy is a professional amateur, who has a style that will be very difficult to transition to the professional game.
Pat McCormack, another British boxer, who should medal, and hit the ground running on his pro career Pat McCormack, who has been wining gold and silver at every international event for the past four or so years. McCormack is a smart well-rounded fighter, and seemingly a trend amongst the favorites on this list, a southpaw. McCormack is not just going to be a good Olympian, but he will be a noteworthy pro, who will usher in the new era of British boxing.
McCormack is the U.K.’s blue-chip fighter from this Olympic class as he looks like a generational star.
Live Dogs: "Tiger" Johnson (United States), Gabriel Maestre (Spain)
See Above
Gabriel Maestre will be a good pro if managed right, Maestre has a ton of power and even worse intentions with that power. His left hook is something to dread and even though he leaps in with it if it lands it is over. Maestre is uber-confident as he is scheduled to fight undefeated Cody Crowley on a PBC card on August 14th, if he is still in fact in the Olympics. Maestre is someone to watch for. A very flashy style.
Lightweight
Favorites: Andy Cruz (Cuba), Keyshawn Davis (United States)
Andy Cruz has the potential to be the Robeisy Ramirez of this Olympics, as his style is perfectly suited for the amateurs, but I don't see him becoming a huge fan-favorite in the pros for the next decade, plus. Cruz is elusive with good legs and solid defense. Cruz is the most notable Cuban boxer since Ramirez and has been considered the best in his division for some time now, holding two wins over Keyshawn Davis, who holds a single victory over him
Keyshawn Davis has the most hype of any American Olympian and for him to win a gold medal he will need to more than likely go through the Cuban Cruz, as most are looking at this tournament boiling down to a finals match between these two. Davis has converted to a pro, but now upon returning to USA Boxing is one of the more interesting subplots to follow.
Live Dogs: Sofiane Oumiha (France), Hovhannes Bachkov (Armenia), Wanderson Oliveira (Brazil)
Sofiane Oumiha is an amateur boxing legend holding Olympic wins over Teofimo Lopez and competed against Lomachenko at the Olympics. Oumiha will be fighting in more than likely his last Olympics, and is a fighter that all, who know of him respect. A very good amateur, who will transition into a solid pro.
Hovhannes Bachkov is in the style of an Arthur Abraham, walks you down and throws big punches. I don't see him winning the tournament, but I see him having a lot of fan-friendly fights in the pros. Bachkov is already pro as well.
Wanderson Oliveira is a flashy defensive-minded fighter who is entertaining to watch but hasn't quite perfect how to win consistently against the elite level. Oliveira reminds me of a "And-One" hooper from the early 2000's who is less worried about the score of the game and more so trying to hit you with a smooth crossover.
Featherweight
Favorites: Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov (Uzbek), Lázaro Álvarez (Cuba)
Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov provides pressure, pressure, and more pressure. Think of him as M.J. Allahkmedov 2.0, as he will force fighters into will fights quickly, and even scarier, he has skill as well. Mirzakhalilov will not just medal, but he will be a good professional as well. One of my favorites of the whole tournament.
Alvarez is your traditional tricky, Cuban fighter, who could be poised to make a run at the medals. A career professional with great abilities.
Live Dogs: Peter McGrail (Great Brittan), Duke Ragan (United States)
Peter McGrail is a solid well-schooled fighter, who fights at range well, but sometimes wears his heart too much upon his sleeve. McGrail has good length for the division and reminds me of a U.K. version of Bruce Carrington minus the dynamic traits Carrington has. McGrail is thought very highly of, amongst his peers.
See Team USA Bio
Flyweights
Favorites - Shakhobidin Zoirov (Uzbekistan), Amit Panghal (India)
Zoirov won gold at the 2016 Olympics and I don't really see anyone stopping him from doing it again, outside of Panghal. Zoirov is the front-runner to do an impressive feat, with a solid skillset, who knows if we will ever see him as a pro, as it might be more profitable to just stay amateur and compete in world competitions for his country.
India's best chance at a medal Amit Panghal will look to do everything that is needed of him to bestow this honor upon his country. Panghal, quite possibly could be the most talented Indian boxer ever, and winning a medal would add to that statement.
Live Dogs - Galal Yafai (England), Billal Bennama (France)
The younger brother of Kal and Gamal, Galal Yafai will have all the confidence to boot coming from a successful fighting family, and discount the experience of competition he has trained alongside. Yafai has the personality to become an engaging personality for this year's games.
Bennama has good height for the weight class but often gives it up at times, but his size and stature if used right could make him a rough outing for any and all.
Women's
Flyweight
Favorites: Ginny Fuchs (United States), Pang Chol-Mi (North Korea)
Please See USA Boxing Bio
Sadly, Pang Chol-Mi has withdrawn, as she was one of the more interesting boxers in this Olympics. Pang Chol-Mi, of the People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea, fights with anger unseen in women's boxing. The flyweight is vicious and relentless.
Live Dogs: Buse Naz Çakıroğlu (Turkey), Irish Mango (Philippines)
Buse Naz Çakıroğlu is a tough competitor, a very fundamentally sound boxer who has all the tools to win a medal at the Olympics, and add to that, the fact that she is a southpaw.
Mango is a fighter who throws a lot of punches, sometimes defense goes out the window for the volume, and for that, she can either get caught or overwhelm opponents.
Featherweight
Favorites: Nesthy Petecio (Philippines), Karriss Artingstall (England)
Petecio is very tough, and tricky, a fighter who is able to make distances seem further or closer based upon subtle shifts in weight. Petecio has solid power, and good timing as well. Very aggressive
Kariss Artingstall is one of the tallest and controls distance well. Artingstall reminds me a lot of what Mikaela Mayer brought to the table in 2016 Olympics, a big frame in a weight class with smaller fighters and keeping them off with straight punches.
Live Dogs: Skye Nicolson (Australia), Sena Irie (Japan), Ramla Ali (Somalia)
Skye Nicolson has all the making of a star, good looks, talent, and a chance to be an Olympic medalist. Nicolson is someone who if she wins a few could make it to the final stages.
Don't be surprised if a Japanese fighter medals and Sena Irie is one of the best chances Japan has in boxing to reach the podium. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Irie make a solid run.
Ali, who is the first boxer to represent Somalia, has a powerful engine being behind her as she is a model, a symbol of hope for a wartorn country, and also holds a high-profile business job, making a solid income. Ali, if she medals could be a household name in the U.K., after this Olympics.
Lightweight
Favorites: Beatriz Soares (Brazil), Mira Potkonen (Finland)
Beatriz Soares has been nothing short of dominant, so much so, I would be surprised if she didn't win gold. Soares throws a right hand like a hammer in close exchanges and always seems to find a way to get it to land.
Mira Potkonen is the chief rival I see for Soares, as the Finnish boxing star, who is defying age at 40-years-old competing against the younger generation. Potkonen has nearly 300 amateur bouts, and the ring IQ to beat anyone. Potkonen was Katie Taylor’s chief rival during Taylor’s time in the amateurs.
Live Dogs: Rashida Ellis (United States), Kellie Harrington (Ireland)
See Team USA BIO
Harrington is a good boxer, and someone who has risen to the moment time and time again, don't be surprised if you another Irish women's boxer win a medal in this years Olympics, as Harrington is often underestimated, and often achieves more than those who write blog posts about her.
Welterweight
Favorite: Oshae Jones (United States), Busenaz Sürmeneli (Turkey)
Read The Team USA Bio
Sumeneli fights like a female version of Avni Yildirim, coming forward high guard and volume on the inside. Her style is effective based upon volume and great conditioning.
Live Dogs: Myriam de Silva (Canada), Karolina Koszewska (Poland)
Myriam Da Silva has a lot of experience and fought some of the best in the division. Da Silva has the knowledge to sneak into the later rounds.
Karolina Koszewska is one of the tallest fighters in the division and uses range well. On top of that, she has thirteen professional fights.
Middleweight
Favorites: Naomi Graham (United States), Lauren Price (Great Brittan)
Naomi Graham was one of the most dominant fighters from USA Boxing over the last year, and appears to me to be the top of the heap in terms of the women's middleweight division. An all-around solid fighter with lots of experience.
Lauren Price is tricky and elusive, plus has sneaky power. Price hasn't lost in years and is the biggest threat to Graham for the gold medal. I think Lauren Price will be a star at the next level, and more than likely will build her stardom from a gold medal at this year’s Olympic Games.
Live Dogs: Zemfira Magomedalieva (Russia), Tammara Thibeault (Canada)
Zemfira Magomedalieva is one of the best in the tournament but has had trouble facing Price in the past. Magomedalieva does everything well, it simply comes down to how she fares with Graham and Price.
Tammara Thibeault, a six-foot-tall southpaw, with a lot of international experience could be a fighter to keep a watchful eye on, and as her talent is aplenty.
To contact Lukie for more information please e-mail lucas.ketelle@gmail.com