Grudge Matches Galore In Store for Olympics Semifinals

[JakeNDaBox]

By Jake Donovan - There wasn’t any biting nor were any of the bouts scratched in the final batch of Quarterfinals matches. But just because the evening’s action in Beijing lacked the drama and controversy produced by Tuesday’s offering, didn’t make Wednesday any less memorable.

The final batch of Quarterfinals matches in the 2008 Olympic boxing competition saw India grab its first ever boxing medal, Great Britain and Ireland set up a pair of grudge matches in the semi-finals as well as two head-to-head matches in store for Cuba and Russia, with potential for a third if the lightweight bracket plays out as expected.

Action wrapped up in the flyweight and middleweight divisions, setting the stage for medal-round matches to begin Friday after all divisions enjoy an off day on Thursday. Of the 44 remaining boxers in the 11 weight classes, 8 come from Team Cuba, far and away the boxing medal leader of the 2008 Games. [details]

[The Monk]

I really enjoyed todays boxing; the judging seemed to be a bit better and some of the boxers showed world class abilities, which sadly is not always the case this olympics.

Looking at the olympics from a British perspective it has been a good couple of weeks. We have got three medals from 7 boxers and hopefully we can get a gold or two.

I like Degale's chances the most. He has got a tough fight in Sutherland, but so far James has shown a lot of improvement and has never been in trouble throughout the whole tournement. Tony Jefferies is a less talented boxer than Degale but what he lacks in talent he makes up with determination. Sadly, I feel he has reached the end against Egan, who I have been extremely impressed with, and don't give him much hope to get through to the final.

David Price's fight is a tricky one to predict. He has won both his fights inside the distance so far, but next he is up against the world champion. To be honest, I feel the Italian is there for the taking. If David can establish his jab and be accurate with his straight right then I give him a great shot at winning.

[starjammer]

Two semi-finals of GB v Ireland. It is indeed a classic grudge match and you can expect the Irish supporters at Beijing to be screaming their heads off.

As a matter of fact, the level of support for GB boxers over there has been kind of mute, considering how lively the GB fans are normally.

[The Monk]

Two semi-finals of GB v Ireland. It is indeed a classic grudge match and you can expect the Irish supporters at Beijing to be screaming their heads off.

As a matter of fact, the level of support for GB boxers over there has been kind of mute, considering how lively the GB fans are normally.

I'm sure the news of an Irish - British showdown will mean an increased British presence. Should be a cracking atmosphere.

[JakeNDaBox]

I agree that today was probably the best for Olympic boxing action. Even if only for a day, it put to rest the myth that amateur boxing is reduced to pitty pat slaps and fighters going on the defensive in best efforts to nurse their leads.

Fittingly enough, Degale and Sutherland are two of my favorites from this year's Games. A shame they have to fight each other, but it should easily be the best fight - from an action standpoint - of any division.

[Clegg]

Egan is the best boxer I have seen so far, although there are a lot that I haven't seen. I think him and Sutherland have a good chance of getting a gold medal.

Let's hope that Price can win, and go on to have a better pro career than Audley has managed.

[NeXt In Line]

I haven't been following the Olympics as much as I should have been because I never know when the boxing is on, is the Deontay kid from America still in it? I know he was the only one left to perhaps win a medal for the U.S.

[!!! Beowulf !!!]

Two semi-finals of GB v Ireland. It is indeed a classic grudge match and you can expect the Irish supporters at Beijing to be screaming their heads off.

As a matter of fact, the level of support for GB boxers over there has been kind of mute, considering how lively the GB fans are normally.

Irish support would obviously be concentrated in the boxing hall, it's not like medals elsewhere have been on the cards for the Irish.

Ireland needs gold and silver more than the British do, I'll be backing any of the British and Irish lads who get to the final.