It was an up-and-down Day 7 of the 2020 Olympics for Team USA in boxing — especially in welterweight quarterfinals action. Here, DAZN News takes a look at the highlights.
Oshae Jones punches her way into semifinal, guaranteed a medal
It was a big Day 7 for Oshae Jones at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo. Jones, a Toledo, OH. native, became the first Team USA boxer to be guaranteed to medal at the 2020 Olympics after outpointing Maria Moronta of the Dominican Republic during the quarterfinal. Four out of the five judges gave Jones the nod as a result of her winning the first two rounds convincingly.
With the victory, Jones is guaranteed at least a bronze medal. She'll also become the third American woman to medal in the Olympics, joining Claressa Shields (Gold in 2012 and 2016) and Marlen Esparza (Bronze in 2012).
Delante Johnson gets tough draw against Cuba's Roniel Iglesias
Iglesias's rich experience of being a four-time Olympian and two-time medalist definitely showed in the quarterfinal against Team USA men's welterweight Johnson.
Although Johnson fought valiantly, he was on the opposite end of a unanimous decision in Iglesias's favor, as three judges scored it 30-27 and the other two had it 29-28 for the Cuban.
Earlier in the day, Rashida Ellis lost in strange fashion
While the matchup results with Jones and Johnson were more decisive, Ellis and British lightweight Caroline Dubois had a more peculiar, controversial ending to their bout. Ellis had a point deducted in the third round for allegedly punching when the referee had halted the action, as reported by NBC. Dubois reportedly overselling the late blow helped convince two judges to sway the round to 10-8 round in her favor.
Two other judges scored the round 28-28 with the fifth and final judge scoring the round for Dubois. Had the 10-8 round not been registered, Ellis would have won the bout, making the lightweight quarterfinal loss a difficult one to swallow for the American.
Elsewhere in Day 7
Cuban heavyweight Julio Cesar De La Cruz closed out the day with a 4-1 victory over Spain's Enmanuel Reyes Pla in quarterfinal action and he did it in colorful style, evading shots and dropping his gloves at time before potshotting.
Look forward to this on Day 8 ...
American Keyshawn Davis is definitely one to watch during these Olympic Games. He'll be back in action during the lightweight quarterfinals on Friday night, as he takes on France's Sofiane Oumiha.