Ogogo gives royal command boxing performance

LONDON (AFP) –

Ievgen Khytrov (R) of the Ukraine defends against Anthony Ogogo (L) of Great Britain during their Middleweight (75kg) match of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the ExCel Arena in London. Ogogo was awarded a razor-thin points victory.

British middleweight boxer Anthony Ogogo brought the crowd to its feet at the London Olympics when he beat top-seeded Ukrainian Ievgen Khytrov on a tense judges’ vote Thursday.

Ogogo and Khytrov — whose bout was watched by the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip, and his youngest son Prince Edward — were tied 18-18 after the three-round contest and could not be separated on a points countback.

However, the five judges were then asked to vote and the majority sided with Ogogo. The Ukrainians appealed, based on Ogogo having taken two standing counts, but they were rejected.

Ogogo, speaking before the appeal was lodged, said only one thing had got him through the final seconds of the round of 16 clash, when he was fading fast.

“It was my self-belief that got me over the line,” said the 23-year-old.

“Neither my family nor my team-mates believed I could win this. If I didn’t believe in myself my legs would have crumbled.”

Khytrov, who like all top seeds had a bye into the second round, said he did not have any bad feelings about the result.

“No, I’m not angry, and don’t believe it was the wrong result,” he said.

“That’s life. Anthony is a very good boxer and we had a good fight. But gold medal? It will be tough. There are several who are potentially stronger than him.”

Ogogo’s team-mate Josh Taylor was not so fortunate, when he was beaten by Italian lightweight Domenico Valentino to become the first British fighter to go out.

Ogogo has been highly motivated by his mother’s parlous health since she suffered a brain haemorrhage six weeks ago. He will next face improving German Stefan Hartel, who unexpectedly demolished Ireland’s Darren O’Neill 19-12.

“He was hitting me but his punches weren’t hurting,” said Hartel, 24. “The secret was my defence, the German team’s great strength when training is focusing on defence.

“Next up Ogogo, and he is a very tough opponent. Plus with the home crowd it will be a difficult night.”

Vijender Singh (R) of India is declared winner over Terrell Gausha of the USA in their round of 16 Middleweight (75kg) match of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the ExCel Arena in London. Vijender pulled out a 16-15 points victory.

Later Indian pin-up Vijender Singh moved within one win of repeating his historic bronze from the last Games when he edged American Terrell Raushee 16-15 to move into the last eight.

“Everyone is tuning into their TVs in India and watching me. It is a great honour but also puts on me a huge duty to reward their faith that they placed in me,” said Vijender.

It is unlikely that too many Americans are watching the boxing, as just two of their male boxers remain. Raushee became their seventh successive defeat, shortly after the highly-rated but raw Jose Ramirez also lost.

Earlier, another Ukrainian star had fared better than Khytrov. The world and Olympic lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko cantered into the quarter-finals after toying with Dominican opponent Wellington Arias.

Vasyl Lomachenko (R) of the Ukraine defends against Wellington Arias Romero (L) of the Dominican Republic during their second round Lightweight (60kg) match of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the ExCel Arena in London.

The 24-year-old top seed — who enjoys rock-star status in Ukraine — showed no signs of rustiness after his bye into the second round, as he won 15-3 with Arias taking a standing count in each of the first two rounds.

Cuban ace Yasnier Toledo appeared to be unnerved by what he saw of Lomachenko and with good reason, as he is seeded to meet the Ukrainian in the last four.

“Here all (boxers) are dangerous, but the one who really worries me is Lomachenko,” Toledo said.

“He is the world champion. That man can take my dream away from me.”