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Best boxers after 9 days (Road to the Val Barker trophy):
(Guys with more than one fight)
1. Hasanboy Dusmatov, Uzbekistan, Light-Fly: Dusmatov faced off against another one of the more impressive fighters of this tournament, Yuberjen Martinez. Coming into this fight Dusmatov, in my opinion, had not lost a round against great opposition, while Martinez only lost about 1-3 rounds against great opposition. Dusmatov delivered another impressive performance. In my opinion his fight against Martinez was his toughest, but Dusmatov again probably did not lose a round. Maybe Martinez could have gotten one of the rounds, but Dusmatov was the superior fighter from start to finish. Dusmatov absolutely dominated that last round. Dusmatov is now an Olympic Champion. It really will be difficult to outperform Dusmatov. He just looked sensational in all of his fights.
Wins over: Joselito Velasquez (2x Pan American Games Champion and #7 in the world), Birzhan Zhakypov (3x Olympian, 2x World Championship medalist-One Gold, One Bronze), Nico Hernandez (2016 Olympic Bronze medalist. One of the surprises of the tournament and one of the better boxers of team USA.), Yuberjen Martinez (2016 Olympic Silver medalist. One of the most impressive fighters of these Olympics.)
2. Yuberjen Martinez, Colombia, Light-Fly: What a run from Yuberjen Martinez. Even though he lost I have to keep him on the list. How could I remove him when he has been one of the most impressive fighters of the tournament? He beat a lot of great opponents and did it in impressive manner.
He may not have won the Olympic Gold medal, but he leaves with Silver. Most importantly, however, is that he leaves as "The People's Champion." I think everybody fell in love with Yuberjen. He is the UNDERDOG. One of the Cinderella stories of these Olympics. You could tell how much support he had from that final bout. The atmosphere was amazing for this final and most went to see Yuberjen. He stole the hearts of the people. Amazing journey and I hope to see more of him in the future. Hopefully this isn't the end.
He will stay ranked high, because he still has some of the more impressive wins of the tournament.
Wins over: Patrick Lourenco (the only opponent who really wasn't that accomplished, but he was from the host nation and he just missed out of a medal at the 2013 World Championships losing a split decision in the Quarterfinals), Rogen Ladon (2015 World Championship Bronze, 2015 Asian Championship Silver, Ranked #3 in the World), Samuel Carmona (Carmona was having an impressive tournament by beating Arthur Hovhannisyan and Paddy Barnes, a two time Olympic Bronze medalist, and one of the favorites for a Gold medal in Rio), Joahnys Argilagos (2015 World Champion. 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist. Ranked #1 in the World).
Losses: Loses the Olympic final to a fighter ranked #1 of the whole tournament so far by giving him his toughest fight. Nothing to be ashamed of for Yuberjen. Hopefully he gets more opportunities.
3. Sofiane Oumiha, France, Light: Another solid performance against another top class opponent. The fight was very competitive, but in my opinion Oumiha came out on top. I don't even know how people can say it was a controversial decision when it was a close fight, but Oumiha was clearly connecting more. He now moves onto the final against Robson Conceicao.
Oumiha improves in every tournament I see him. I think his work goes underappreciated, because of how awkwardly he throws his shots at times. But beating Selimov and Otgondalai are very impressive feats. even if they were close fights (The Otgondalai fight more than the Selimov fight).
Wins over: Teofimo Lopez, Amnat Ruenroeng (Former Pro World Champion, 2x Olympian, 2007 World Championship Bronze, 2010 Asian Games Bronze), Albert Selimov (2x Olympian. 3x World Championship medalist-Gold, Silver, Bronze. 2x European Champion. 2015 European Games Champion. Ranked #3 in the World), Dorjnyambuugiin Otgondalai (2016 Olympic Bronze medalist. 2014 Asian Games Champion. Ranked #2 in the World.)
4. Robson Conceicao, Brazil, Light: Conceicao has just gotten one of the most impressive wins in this tournament. In the Semifinal he defeated the World #1, Lazaro Alvarez, in a close and exciting bout. Round 1 went to Alvarez. Round 2 went to Conceicao. The fight was going to be decided in that last round and the judges preferred the work of Conceicao. Robson now moves onto the final against another impressive fighter, Sofiane Oumiha of France.
Wins over: Anvar Yunusov (2011 World Championship Bronze, 3x Olympian, 3x Asian Championship medalist-Gold, Bronze, Bronze), Hurshid Tojibaev (2x Olympian and was having a solid tournament by beating a guy ranked in the top 10 in World, Joseph Cordina), Lazaro Alvarez (2x Olympic Bronze medalist. 3x World Champion. 2x Pan American Games Champion. 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games Champion. Ranked #1 in the World.)
5. Joshua Buatsi, Great Britain, Light-Heavy: Not really much to say. Once again Buatsi was impressive against another top 10 ranked opponent. He didn't continue his stoppage streak, but he did get two standing eight counts and dominated the fight. Benchabla had his moments, but Buatsi was too much. He moves onto the Semifinal.
Wins over: Kennedy Katende (2008 Olympian), Elshod Rasulov (3x World Championship medalist-Silver,Bronze,Bronze. 2x Asian Games Champion. 2007 Asian Champion. 3x Olympian. Ranked #6 in the World.), Abdelhafid Benchabla (3x Olympian. 2x All African Games medalist-Gold, Silver. 2009 Mediterranean Games Silver. Ranked #4 in the World.)
6. Vassiliy Levit, Kazakhstan, Heavy
7. Shakhram Giyasov, Uzbekistan, Welter
8. Daniyar Yeleussinov, Kazakhstan, Welter
9. Souleymane Cissokho, France, Welter
10. Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, Kazakhstan, Middle
11. Mohammed Rabii, Morocco, Welter
12. Robeisy Ramirez, Cuba, Bantam: Robeisy Ramirez looked good, but not enough to keep climbing. I just felt he could have done a little more. He let Hamout into the fight in that last round possibly even losing it. Maybe I'm being a little too harsh, because he did look good in the first two rounds. I don't know I just felt he could have done more. He has an interesting match-up against Zhang Jiawei next. I expect a tough fight.
Wins over: Shiva Thapa (2015 World Championship Bronze medalist. Ranked #6 in the World.), Mohamed Hamout
(Guys with one fight)
13. Yasniel Toledo, Cuba, Light-Welter: The most underrated Cuban, in my opinion, was in a competitive fight against one of the future stars of this sport, Pat McCormack. The first round was close and could have gone either way. It was competitive all the way, but Toledo just found more openings. He took control in the last two rounds. Close rounds but clear for Toledo. This fight reminded me of McCormack-Zhussupov. Close fight and the only time they were able to land was when they made mistakes. Well, Zhussupov made more mistakes and Pat took advantage. This time Pat was on the opposite side. He made more mistakes and Yasniel took advantage of those mistakes.
Win over: Pat McCormack (2015 European Championships Silver medalist. Future star.)
14. Shakhobidin Zoirov, Uzbekistan, Fly
15. Arlen Lopez, Cuba, Middle
In line (from lightest to heaviest): Sattibayev, Jianguan, Conlan, Jiawei, Dunaytsev, Gaibnazarov, Mbilli, Melikuziev, La Cruz, Bauderlique, Niyazymbetov, Tishchenko, Hrgovic, Dychko, Jalolov
Out: Yeraliyev (previously ranked #12 on my list), Alvarez (previously "In line" category), Otgondalai (previously "In line" category), McCormack (previously "In line" category)
I'm probably going to make a final list of idk how many fighters at the end of the Olympics. The list will include fighters that didn't take the Gold.
(Guys with more than one fight)
1. Hasanboy Dusmatov, Uzbekistan, Light-Fly: Dusmatov faced off against another one of the more impressive fighters of this tournament, Yuberjen Martinez. Coming into this fight Dusmatov, in my opinion, had not lost a round against great opposition, while Martinez only lost about 1-3 rounds against great opposition. Dusmatov delivered another impressive performance. In my opinion his fight against Martinez was his toughest, but Dusmatov again probably did not lose a round. Maybe Martinez could have gotten one of the rounds, but Dusmatov was the superior fighter from start to finish. Dusmatov absolutely dominated that last round. Dusmatov is now an Olympic Champion. It really will be difficult to outperform Dusmatov. He just looked sensational in all of his fights.
Wins over: Joselito Velasquez (2x Pan American Games Champion and #7 in the world), Birzhan Zhakypov (3x Olympian, 2x World Championship medalist-One Gold, One Bronze), Nico Hernandez (2016 Olympic Bronze medalist. One of the surprises of the tournament and one of the better boxers of team USA.), Yuberjen Martinez (2016 Olympic Silver medalist. One of the most impressive fighters of these Olympics.)
2. Yuberjen Martinez, Colombia, Light-Fly: What a run from Yuberjen Martinez. Even though he lost I have to keep him on the list. How could I remove him when he has been one of the most impressive fighters of the tournament? He beat a lot of great opponents and did it in impressive manner.
He may not have won the Olympic Gold medal, but he leaves with Silver. Most importantly, however, is that he leaves as "The People's Champion." I think everybody fell in love with Yuberjen. He is the UNDERDOG. One of the Cinderella stories of these Olympics. You could tell how much support he had from that final bout. The atmosphere was amazing for this final and most went to see Yuberjen. He stole the hearts of the people. Amazing journey and I hope to see more of him in the future. Hopefully this isn't the end.
He will stay ranked high, because he still has some of the more impressive wins of the tournament.
Wins over: Patrick Lourenco (the only opponent who really wasn't that accomplished, but he was from the host nation and he just missed out of a medal at the 2013 World Championships losing a split decision in the Quarterfinals), Rogen Ladon (2015 World Championship Bronze, 2015 Asian Championship Silver, Ranked #3 in the World), Samuel Carmona (Carmona was having an impressive tournament by beating Arthur Hovhannisyan and Paddy Barnes, a two time Olympic Bronze medalist, and one of the favorites for a Gold medal in Rio), Joahnys Argilagos (2015 World Champion. 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist. Ranked #1 in the World).
Losses: Loses the Olympic final to a fighter ranked #1 of the whole tournament so far by giving him his toughest fight. Nothing to be ashamed of for Yuberjen. Hopefully he gets more opportunities.
3. Sofiane Oumiha, France, Light: Another solid performance against another top class opponent. The fight was very competitive, but in my opinion Oumiha came out on top. I don't even know how people can say it was a controversial decision when it was a close fight, but Oumiha was clearly connecting more. He now moves onto the final against Robson Conceicao.
Oumiha improves in every tournament I see him. I think his work goes underappreciated, because of how awkwardly he throws his shots at times. But beating Selimov and Otgondalai are very impressive feats. even if they were close fights (The Otgondalai fight more than the Selimov fight).
Wins over: Teofimo Lopez, Amnat Ruenroeng (Former Pro World Champion, 2x Olympian, 2007 World Championship Bronze, 2010 Asian Games Bronze), Albert Selimov (2x Olympian. 3x World Championship medalist-Gold, Silver, Bronze. 2x European Champion. 2015 European Games Champion. Ranked #3 in the World), Dorjnyambuugiin Otgondalai (2016 Olympic Bronze medalist. 2014 Asian Games Champion. Ranked #2 in the World.)
4. Robson Conceicao, Brazil, Light: Conceicao has just gotten one of the most impressive wins in this tournament. In the Semifinal he defeated the World #1, Lazaro Alvarez, in a close and exciting bout. Round 1 went to Alvarez. Round 2 went to Conceicao. The fight was going to be decided in that last round and the judges preferred the work of Conceicao. Robson now moves onto the final against another impressive fighter, Sofiane Oumiha of France.
Wins over: Anvar Yunusov (2011 World Championship Bronze, 3x Olympian, 3x Asian Championship medalist-Gold, Bronze, Bronze), Hurshid Tojibaev (2x Olympian and was having a solid tournament by beating a guy ranked in the top 10 in World, Joseph Cordina), Lazaro Alvarez (2x Olympic Bronze medalist. 3x World Champion. 2x Pan American Games Champion. 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games Champion. Ranked #1 in the World.)
5. Joshua Buatsi, Great Britain, Light-Heavy: Not really much to say. Once again Buatsi was impressive against another top 10 ranked opponent. He didn't continue his stoppage streak, but he did get two standing eight counts and dominated the fight. Benchabla had his moments, but Buatsi was too much. He moves onto the Semifinal.
Wins over: Kennedy Katende (2008 Olympian), Elshod Rasulov (3x World Championship medalist-Silver,Bronze,Bronze. 2x Asian Games Champion. 2007 Asian Champion. 3x Olympian. Ranked #6 in the World.), Abdelhafid Benchabla (3x Olympian. 2x All African Games medalist-Gold, Silver. 2009 Mediterranean Games Silver. Ranked #4 in the World.)
6. Vassiliy Levit, Kazakhstan, Heavy
7. Shakhram Giyasov, Uzbekistan, Welter
8. Daniyar Yeleussinov, Kazakhstan, Welter
9. Souleymane Cissokho, France, Welter
10. Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, Kazakhstan, Middle
11. Mohammed Rabii, Morocco, Welter
12. Robeisy Ramirez, Cuba, Bantam: Robeisy Ramirez looked good, but not enough to keep climbing. I just felt he could have done a little more. He let Hamout into the fight in that last round possibly even losing it. Maybe I'm being a little too harsh, because he did look good in the first two rounds. I don't know I just felt he could have done more. He has an interesting match-up against Zhang Jiawei next. I expect a tough fight.
Wins over: Shiva Thapa (2015 World Championship Bronze medalist. Ranked #6 in the World.), Mohamed Hamout
(Guys with one fight)
13. Yasniel Toledo, Cuba, Light-Welter: The most underrated Cuban, in my opinion, was in a competitive fight against one of the future stars of this sport, Pat McCormack. The first round was close and could have gone either way. It was competitive all the way, but Toledo just found more openings. He took control in the last two rounds. Close rounds but clear for Toledo. This fight reminded me of McCormack-Zhussupov. Close fight and the only time they were able to land was when they made mistakes. Well, Zhussupov made more mistakes and Pat took advantage. This time Pat was on the opposite side. He made more mistakes and Yasniel took advantage of those mistakes.
Win over: Pat McCormack (2015 European Championships Silver medalist. Future star.)
14. Shakhobidin Zoirov, Uzbekistan, Fly
15. Arlen Lopez, Cuba, Middle
In line (from lightest to heaviest): Sattibayev, Jianguan, Conlan, Jiawei, Dunaytsev, Gaibnazarov, Mbilli, Melikuziev, La Cruz, Bauderlique, Niyazymbetov, Tishchenko, Hrgovic, Dychko, Jalolov
Out: Yeraliyev (previously ranked #12 on my list), Alvarez (previously "In line" category), Otgondalai (previously "In line" category), McCormack (previously "In line" category)
I'm probably going to make a final list of idk how many fighters at the end of the Olympics. The list will include fighters that didn't take the Gold.
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