Russian brawler Albert Batyrgaziev defeated USA featherweight Duke Ragan by split decision to win the Olympic gold medal on Thursday in the Kokugikan Arena at the Tokyo Olympics. The score was 3-2. Three of the judges gave Batyrgaziev the first two rounds, so it was basically over then. Ragan clearly won the last round, but too little, too late. Ragan gets the silver medal.
The USA team still has two more gold medal hopes. USA super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. will face Uzbek Bakhodir Jalolov for the gold medal on Sunday. USA lightweight Keyshawn Davis has a semifinal matchup on Friday.
Duke made us proud. Silver is not gold. However, he made us proud.
Speaketh … Mort.
Good for him! I watched 3-4 of his fights and he definitely has big potential. The only thing I really see lacking in his game is physical strength and punching power. I don’t think he’ll ever be a puncher, but he’s only 23 so he will get stronger. He’s super accurate and the fights in the pros aren’t as frenetic. I think he’ll have a very respectable pro career.