Shakur Stevenson Emotional, Admits Ramirez Beat Him For Gold

By Keith Idec

The extremely emotional man admitted the better man won.

Mere moments following his split-decision defeat to Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez in the 123-pound Olympic gold-medal match Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, American Shakur Stevenson broke down during a post-fight interview with NBC Sports’ Chris Mannix.

“I’m hurt,” Stevenson told Mannix, before beginning to cry uncontrollably during the internationally televised interview. “I felt like the Cuban won. Much respect to him. I just don’t like to lose.”

Ramirez seemingly won the first and third rounds to prevent Stevenson from becoming the first American boxer since Andre Ward in 2004 to win a gold medal. The 22-year-old Ramirez, now a two-time Olympic gold medalist, used his jab well and was the more active puncher during their three-round bantamweight final.

Stevenson, of Newark, New Jersey, settled for the United States’ first silver medal in boxing since Houston’s Rocky Juarez won one at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

The 19-year-old Stevenson also lost for the first time in international competition since he began his amateur boxing career 11 years ago. He slipped to 26-1 in international matches.

Stevenson realized immediately after the decision was announced that he didn’t let his hands go enough to capture gold.

“I had to make it clear,” Stevenson said. “I like to make all my fights clear victories. I felt like he got his victory and much respect to him.”

Mannix followed up by asking Stevenson if he could take solace in winning a silver medal.

“I don’t like to lose,” Stevenson said, before breaking down and prompting Mannix to understandably cut short the post-fight interview.

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.