Joe McConnell
Bakhodir Jalolov won his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at Roland Garros on Saturday.
The imposing Uzbek defeated Spaniard Ayoub Ghadfa in a landslide, giving his opponent two standing counts in the first round and earning a unanimous decision victory.
That final was the last match of the Paris 2024 tournament and, for now, it could be the last Olympic boxing match ever.
But the Olympics could say goodbye to boxing
This sport has not been included in the programme of the next Games in 2028, as it currently does not have a recognised governing body.
The IBA, the federation that historically governed international amateur sport, has been banned from administering Olympic competition. The IOC is adamant that boxing could return to the Olympics only under the jurisdiction of a new federation.
A new organization, World Boxing, has been founded that hopes to save the Olympic sport, but time is running out.
Australia’s Caitlin Parker, who received her middleweight bronze at Saturday’s medal ceremony, said: “I think it’s very important to have boxing at the next Olympics. It’s one of the oldest Olympic sports. I think we’ve shown today and throughout this competition how important boxing is. It’s popular, it attracts people and I think people need to make sure that happens.
“I will continue to talk about it because it is every child’s dream. It was my dream and to be here at my second Olympics and on the podium, it is a dream come true.
“And I want that to happen for other people, too.”
Chinese Olympic champion Li Qian lent her voice to this campaign, adding simply but clearly: “I agree.”
A dominant heavyweight
Jalolov gave a masterclass in winning what could be the last Olympic gold medal in boxing history.
He measured Ghadfa with long left jabs and chose the right moment to land powerful left jabs.
A big cross gave the Spaniard a standing count in the first round. Jalolov then jumped in, attempting to strike while Ghadfa was vulnerable, but accidentally wandered into a Ghadfa right.
This, however, triggered a violent reaction and another hard blow gave the Spaniard a second count on the gong.
He remained standing but failed to gain a foothold in the race.
Jalolov continued his aggressive approach in the second round. He confused Ghadfa, throwing his left and then landing a solid right. The Spaniard wasn’t ready for those shots and they timed him cleanly.
The Uzbek was keeping him under control, hitting Ghadfa with a left hook, a blow he repeated to close the round.
He, however, neglected to aim for a grandstand finish. Instead of looking for a knockout, he made sure to leave no room for error.
Jalolov didn’t rush. He let Ghadfa look for openings only to punish the Spaniard with stern counterattacks as he powered his way to his unanimous decision victory.
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