Olympic Boxing Semi-final Predictions: First Session (Part One)
Here are my Olympic Boxing Semi-Final predictions for the flyweight, featherweight and light welterweight. These bouts will take place on Friday the 22nd at 1:30 a.m. EST (fly), 2:00 a.m. EST (feather) and 2:30 a.m. (light welter). We’ll analyze how I did on Saturday. (Jabandgrapple picks in bold)
Flyweight Semifinals
Andry Laffita (CUB) vs. Georgy Balakshin (RUS)
When Olympic boxing began most expected a lot of Cuba vs. Russia medal matchups. Then something strange happened: the vaunted Russians couldn’t get points from the judges while the Cubans got every benefit of the doubt. Laffita is a very experienced fighter who really enjoys running. Punching…not so much. Can Balakshin cut off the ring and corner the little dancer? We’re going to say so and hope the Slavic aggressor gets some points scored.
Vincenzo Picardi (ITA) vs. Somjit Jongjohor (THA)
This is a matchup of 2007 World Championship medalists. Picardi earned the bronze after dropping that semi match to Jongjohor 13-2. The eventual champion was American Rau’shee Warren. What happened to him? Don’t ask. Jongjohor hasn’t been that impressive so far in Beijing but we see no reason why history shouldn’t repeat itself. Expect the score to be about 7-1; the Thai boxer hasn’t been that active with his punching.
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Featherweight Semifinals
Yakup Kilic (TUR) vs. Vasyl Lomachenko (UKR)
Lomachenko, the 2007 World Championship silver medalist, has been extremely impressive at Beijing. He began the competition by beating the 2007 gold medalist and has skated ever since. How good has Vasyl been? In his quarterfinal matchup he beat a Chinese boxer 12-3 in spite of the judging favoritism. Lomachenko might be the surest bet for gold in the tourney.
Khedafi Djelkhir (FRA) vs. Shahin Imranov (AZE)
Neither of these two boxers excite me. Djelkhir beat American Raynell Williams by the skin of his teeth. I’m going with Imranov out of spite.
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Light Welterweight Semifinals
Manus Boonjumnong (THA) vs. Ronniel Iglesias (CUB)
In the quarters Boonjumnong beat the 2007 gold medalist, Iglesias beat the silver winner. That’s good enough for me. Manus is the pick.
Felix Manuel Diaz Guzman (DOM) vs. Alexis Vastine (FRA)
Vastine has had the tougher path taking out 2007 bronze winner Bradley Saunders while Guzman struggled with lightly regarded Irishman John Joe Joyce a/k/a Triple J.
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Olympic Boxing Semis Predictions: 16-6
Aug 22, 2008 at 10:04 am
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