The XXXIII Summer Olympic Games will begin in Paris on July 26 and competitions will run until August 11 inclusive. There will be 32 sports represented at the Olympics and, despite all concerns, boxing is on the list.
There was indeed cause for concern. Due to the conflict between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA), the inclusion of boxing in the programme of the next two Olympic Games was in doubt. This was stated in plain text. As a result, the problem was solved quite radically: the IOC simply suspended the IBA and took everything under its control.
The president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, then reassured everyone: “The decision remains in force. Boxing will take place at the Olympic Games, and the tournament and qualifying competitions will be organised by the IOC.”
Thomas Bach
Photo: Fake Images
Technical details
The boxing competitions will take place from July 27 to August 10. There will be 13 award series: seven for men and six for women. By the way, last year there were eight male and five female categories. However, in each weight category there can only be one athlete per country. And traditionally, the losers in the semi-finals automatically become bronze medalists.
Since 2016, men have been competing without helmets at the Olympic Games; for women, this remains a mandatory requirement.
Men’s weight categories at the 2024 Olympic Games: up to 51 kg, up to 57 kg, up to 63.5 kg, up to 71 kg, up to 80 kg, up to 92 kg, 92+ kg.
Women’s weight categories at the 2024 Olympic Games: up to 50 kg, up to 54 kg, up to 57 kg, up to 60 kg, up to 66 kg, up to 75 kg.
A vivid interview with one of the leaders of the Russian boxing team:
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“IOC conditions are devaluing the Olympic Games.” A conversation with the star of the Russian boxing team.
How was the selection process?
As a rule, some boxers qualify through continental competitions (European Games, Asian Games, etc.). Another part could have been selected through the World Championships, but since the IBA was suspended, the tournament itself was deprived of its Olympic qualification status. By the way, the Russians took two golds and four bronzes.
Instead of the World Championships, the IOC held two qualifying tournaments. The first took place in Busto Arzio (Italy) from 29 February to 12 March. The second was in Bangkok (Thailand) from 23 May to 5 June. Another part of the quotas was distributed according to the principle of universality.
In total, 248 places have been allocated for boxers, 124 for men and 124 for women. This is 41 fewer than at the previous Olympic Games.
How the 2023 World Boxing Championships went:
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The main question is what about the Russians and their involvement?
Like other Russian athletes, boxers from our country could perform in a neutral individual state, without an anthem, without a flag, without any symbols. However, the Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation, Tatyana Kiriyenko, expressed a tough position: “Russian boxers will never participate in competitions in a neutral state. We cannot change our homeland! We do not condemn anyone, but we have a clearly formed position. This is the opinion of the entire boxing family.”
This is a huge loss for Russian boxers and for the Olympic Games as a whole, as it automatically lowers the level of the tournament. For example, at the previous Games in Tokyo, the Russians performed more than decently: one gold, one silver and four bronzes. This is the third place overall in boxing.
Albert Batyrgaziev with gold medal at Tokyo Olympics
Photo: Ueslei Marcelino – Pool/Getty Images
Now most experts approve of the decision of the boxing federation, but feel sorry for the boxers. For example, Kostya Tszyu: “From the point of view of the federation, this was a politically correct response to everything the IOC does to us. It is a pity for the guys, because for every amateur athlete, the Olympic Games are a definite peak, which they strive for for four years. But now there are new alternatives: turning professional, performing and becoming a world champion among professionals. It is even greater. However, for amateurs, Olympic gold is the most valuable achievement.”
It is sad that these Olympics will be held without any Russians. It is doubly sad that the excellent streak in which Russia had at least one boxing champion at every Olympics will be interrupted.
The head of the Russian boxing national team’s coaching council, Eduard Kravtsov, has no doubt that the decision to refuse to participate in the Olympics was correct: “The decision was made by the Russian Boxing Federation and I think it is correct. Because in connection with all the political events in the world we have no right to box without an anthem and under a neutral flag. Moreover, taking into account all the points that the IOC puts forward to the Russians at the Olympics, I think that the performance of any Russian athlete there is wrong. This is my subjective point of view. As for boxing, everyone unanimously supported this decision.
It is clear that for many amateur boxers the Olympics are some kind of crowning achievement, to be honest. But all our people are sensible and everyone understands what is happening now. No one in the team thought of standing on the sidelines and putting their personal ambitions first. We represent the country – these are not just big words, it is true.”
Such a Russian team could sweep the Games:
The IOC stole world boxing. This Russian team would be the decoration of the Olympic Games
Who is the favorite then?
At the last Olympics, the medal table in boxing went to Cuba, which took four golds. Great Britain came in second and Russia in third. Surprisingly, the United States was left without a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite this, the Americans are considered one of the favorites for the upcoming tournament. Historically, it is the US team that dominates the Olympics. The British and Cubans almost always perform well; Brazil and China have recently stepped up their game, and Uzbekistan has performed well. By the way, a lot can be expected from Cuba at the Paris Games. She is the main favorite of the competition.
At the upcoming Olympics, Australia has the largest representation: 12 boxers. That means that only one weight category will not have an athlete from this country. Uzbekistan will bring 11 boxers, Ireland, Kazakhstan and Brazil 10 each. The United States will bring eight boxers, Great Britain six, Cuba five.
Speaking of personalities, it is worth taking a closer look at Bakhodir Jalolov, who competes in the 92kg category. He won gold at the last Olympics, then won the World Championships and at the same time competes as a professional. Everything is going well: 14-0, all victories are early. Jalolov’s compatriot Khasanboy Dusmatov (up to 51kg) is also an Olympic champion, but he won his medal at Rio 2016 and is now preparing to repeat the triumph. In his weight category, he is undoubtedly one of the main favourites. It is worth noting the experienced Sofian Umia (up to 63.5kg), who won silver at the Olympics eight years ago, and who will try to improve his result at home.
Bakhodir Jalolov
Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Another big favourite is Cuban Arlen Lopez (up to 80 kg), a two-time Olympic champion who easily qualified for these Games. He wins almost all the major tournaments he competes in. Alexander Khizhnyak, who was one step away from gold in Tokyo, is definitely worth mentioning. In the weight category up to 92 kg there is another two-time Olympic champion: Julio Cesar la Cruz. He also has five victories at World Championships and the Cuban qualified for the next Olympic Games through the Pan American Games.
The 2021 world champion Harvey Jamal (up to 57 kg) will represent the USA at the Olympics. He is only 21 years old, has already built up a solid amateur resume and can surprise at the highest level. In the heavyweight (92+ kg) there is an interesting Russian-British boxer, Delicious Ori. He was born in Moscow, but at the age of seven he returned with his parents to England, where he later became a boxer. He has very tough opponents at the Olympics, but he also has good experience: Ori performed well at the European Games.
Julius Caesar the Cross.
Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
An extremely interesting story worth following is the return of Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez to the Games. It is interesting because his first Olympic Games took place 20 (!) years ago. Lopez performed there without success, but as a professional he became world champion in two weight categories. It is time to try to close the Gestalt.
Bonus: There will still be two Russians at the Olympics, but there is a nuance
Next in line are Natalya Shadrina (up to 60 kg) and Vahid Abbasov (up to 71 kg). These are Russians who play for the Serbian national team, both are international masters of sports of Russia. Abbasov has serious competition: Aslanbek Shymbergenov (Kazakhstan), Savon Okazawa (Japan) and Asadkhuzhi Muydinkhuzhaev (Uzbekistan). Shadrina also has a great rival: Kelly Harrington, who won the last Olympic Games.
Of course, the Paris Games will lose a lot due to the absence of the Russians, who could send several very bright and strong boxers to the competition. However, among the 240 athletes who will compete for Olympic medals in boxing, there will surely be interesting fighters who will surprise and delight. It is worth keeping an eye on the Olympic Games.
