Olympics: Shakur Stevenson loses to Cuban in gold medal match
Shukur Stevenson came close but couldn’t get it done.
Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana of Cuba, the Olympic flyweight gold medalist in 2012, defeated Stevenson by a split decision to win gold in the bantamweight division Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. Stevenson won silver.
No American man has won a boxing gold medal since Andre Ward in 2004. Claressa Shields won gold in 2012.
Stevenson, who had never lost an international fight, split the first two rounds with the more-experienced Cuban — losing the first, winning the second — but was outworked in the third and final round to lose the fight.
The 19-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, wept during a post-fight interview but didn’t dispute the decision. He was asked whether he should’ve gotten the nod.
“I had to make it clear. I like all my fights to be clear victories. I felt like he got his victory. Much respect for him,” he said through the tears.
He was then asked whether found solice in winning the silver.
“No. I don’t like to lose,” he said.
Photo: USA Boxing