Olympic Boxing: U.S. Boxing Team Down to Last Two Fighters

By Jim Everett August 17th, 2008 All Boxing Results

Saturday August 16, 2008 was a big day for the U.S. as Michael Phelps made history by winning his unprecedented eighth Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympics, but for the eight members of the U.S. boxing team, their story has not been as fruitful.

Middleweight Shawn Estrada and light flyweight Luis Yanez were unsuccessful in the second round of elimination bouts, leaving only welterweight Demetrius Andrade and heavyweight Deontay Wilder moving to the Quarterfinals.

The Beijing Olympics has been the worst showing in history for the U.S. since boxing became an Olympic sport in 1904. The previous worst showing the U.S. team had experienced was sending four fighters to the Quarterfinals in 2004 at the Athens Olympics.

Although he had a favorable draw, Estrada was not able to get past James DeGale of Great Britain to move to the Quarterfinal rounds. The British southpaw gave Estrada, who abandon his jab, a difficult time.

In the first frame, DeGale was the first to land a clean one-two combination that did not register a point. Estrada moved forward without utilizing his jab, lunging forward while trying to throw a straight right. Estrada was able to land with a right uppercut and right cross, but both punches do not register a point. The round ends 0-0.

In the second round, Estrada, still coming forward without utilizing his jab, circled right against the southpaw instead of to his left. He seemed unsure of how to deal with the southpaw style, only throwing rights and still, completely abandoning his jab.

DeGale scores with a straight left and a right hook also scores. Both fighters exchange punches which scored, ending the round at 3-1 for DeGale. More...