Gold Medal Favorites, Rivalries and More Things to Watch For in Boxing at the 2012 London Olympics
The two “small guy” divisions for men’s boxing at the London 2012 Olympics are Light Flyweight, at 49 kg – 108 lbs, and Flyweight, at 52 kg – 112 lbs. These divisions are jam packed with talent, particularly at Flyweight, which may be the single deepest and most competitive division in the entire tournament.
Right here, fight fans can find an overview of each division, including the medal favorites, rivalries and other things to watch for as you check out the competition.
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Light Flyweight London Olympic Boxing Overview
Medal Favorites & Fighters to Watch
- China’s Zou Shiming received some beneficial scoring on his home turf at the 2008 Olympics en route to a gold medal, but you can’t dispute his 2011 World Championship, in addition to the one he grabbed in 2007. He’s the man to beat at Light Flyweight.
- Jong Hoon Shin of South Korea is the number 1 fighter in the world according to the AIBA, however, he lost heads up to Zou Shiming in the final of the 2011 Worlds.
- Paddy Barnes of Ireland was the victim of Shiming’s friendly scorecards in 2008, settling for a bronze. He took home a bronze at the European qualifier event in 2012.
- Russia’s David Ayrapetyan also was at the 2008 Olympics, although he was sent packing early. Most recently, he took home a bronze at the 2011 worlds, losing to Shiming in the finals.
Things to Watch For
- All three of the fighters listed past Zou Shiming have a direct history with the reigning gold medalist and world champion, and will be seeking revenge in 2012.
- This is the only weight division in which the United States boxing team is not represented.
- There are contenders at Light Flyweight from a wide range of countries, including India and Mongolia.
Flyweight London Olympic Boxing Overview
Medal Favorites & Fighters to Watch
- Reigning world champion Misha Aloian of Russia is a force to be reckoned with. He grabbed a bronze at the 2009 Worlds, and improved to gold medal status at the 2011 Worlds, knocking off Andrew Selby and Rau’shee Warren in the process.
- Rau’shee Warren of the United States is making his 3rd trip to the Olympics, a first for an American boxer, and is one of the strongest medal hopes for the USA boxing squad. He lost to Aloian in a tough fight at the 2011 Worlds, and won gold at the 2007 competition. However, both of his Olympic outings have been disappointments thus far.
- Andrew Selby from the UK narrowly lost to Aloian at the 2011 Worlds, taking home a silver for his effort. He’s now ranked number 2 in the world in the division by the AIBA, and will be looking to give his home country a thrilling gold medal victory.
- Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez is just 18 years old. In 2010, he won gold at the youth worlds. In 2011, he lost in the early rounds to Aloian. However, he’s improving rapidly, and could easily make a run to the medal stand.
Things to Watch For
- Will Selby be the beneficiary of friendly judging in the UK – something we saw plenty of in Beijing? It’s particularly interesting should he meet Aloian in a gold medal rematch from the 2011 Worlds, as he lost by just one point in that match.
- Which Eastern European or Asian country will break through to the medal stand? Uzbekistan, with Jasurbek Latipov? The strong squad from Azerbaijan, with Elvin Mamishzade?
- As opposed to Light Flyweight, with the 2008 gold medalist returning, at Flyweight, the only returning medalist is bronze medal winner Vincenzo Picardi of Italy. Can he make another deep run in this very competitive field?
