USA Boxing still alive after reversal

Errol Spence is still alive. thanks to a decision to overturn a loss by the AIBA.

The welterweight from Texas, Team USA’s last hope in boxing, was originally ruled the loser as India’s Krishan Vikas was given a 13-11 victory.

But the AIBA, citing numerous violations not judged correctly by the referee, reversed the decision upon a video review. Spence advances to the quarterfinal and will take on Russia’s Andrey Zamkovoy on Tuesday.

“I am obviously thrilled that my the competition jury overturned my decision and I can continue chasing the gold medal I came here to win. I am going to make the most of this second chance that I’ve been given. I can’t wait to get back in that ring on Tuesday.”

Prior to the reversal, Spence thought he won the fight and was disappointed in the judge’s decision.

Said Spence: “I thought I threw more punches and landed more shots and was the more aggressive boxer. I thought I won, and the coaches and the crowd thought I won but the judges didn’t think so…Yes, I thought they announced me the winner.”

The AIBIA statement regarding the decision

     - There were a total of nine (9) holding fouls committed by the Indian boxer in the third round alone. However the Referee only gave one caution;

     - In the second round, at the time 02:38, the boxer from India spitted out his gumshield intentionally. However the Referee didn't give any warning

Based on these findings, the Competition Jury Members unanimously decided the following:

     - Decision #1: Based on the AIBA Technical & Competition Rules 12.1.9, the Referee should have given at least two (2) warnings to the Indian boxer;

     - Decision #2: Although the boxer from India intentionally spitted out his gumshield, the Referee's view was blocked by the boxer from the USA and was not able to see the action;

     - Final Decision: Based on Decision #1, at least four (4) points should have been awarded to the boxer from the USA. Therefore the final score should be 13:15 in favour of the USA. The protest is accepted and the winner of Bout #142 is Errol Spence (USA).

Unfortunately for Team USA, Spence is the only boxer left as flyweight Rau’shee Warren came up short against France’s Nordine Oubaali, 19-18.

The native of Cincinnati made history by becoming the first three-time U.S. Olympic boxer. Still, it was no consolation.

“I came out in the first round really strong, throwing combinations. In the second and third rounds, I was kind of sitting on my shots, waiting for one shot so I could catch him coming in and try to drop the big left hand and hurt him and work off that but that didn’t work,” Warren said.