2016 RIO OLYMPICS: MARTINEZ, LADON'S FOE, LOST TO DUSMATOV IN GOLD MEDAL MATCH
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Aug 2016
Colombia?s Yurberjen Mart?nez, who abruptly ended Filipino Rogen Ladon's medal quest, failed to win the men?s light flyweight (49kg) gold medal as he was badly outclassed by Uzbekistan?s Hasanboy Dusmatov in the finals.
Dusmatov, 23, was just too flamboyant and sleek for Mart?nez, 24, but the Colombian fought so hard with most of the crowd cheering for him.
But all three judges scored the first two rounds to Dusmatov, with only the French judge favoring Martinez in the last round.
Dusmatov was only Uzbekistan?s second Olympic boxing champion after 2000 Olympic light-welterweight gold medalist Mahammatkodir Abdullaye.
Dusmatov?s gold medal is the first for Uzbekistan in the light flyweight division. Martinez?s silver medal is the first in the history of Colombian boxing, as their country had only won three bronze medals in the Olympics so far.
Dusmatov?s journey to the gold in Rio was in contention for the Val Barker Trophy, to be awarded to the most outstanding fighter for all weight divisions.
He got a bye in the round of 32, then defeated Joselito Velazquez in the round of 16, then victories over Birzhan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan and Nico Hernandez, bronze medalist of the United States, who ended the American eight-year boxing medal drought.
Martinez was an underdog right from the start. But he easily defeated Brazil?s Patrick Lourenco in the round of 32, but he was expected to lose to Ladon of the Philippines.
But he unanimously outscored Ladon, giving a nightmare to the country's boxing association. He went on to beat fellow underdog Samuel Carmona of Spain, who upset and eliminated Paddy Barnes of Ireland.
Then he pulled another surprise by defeating number-one-seeded and gold medal best bet Joahnys Argilagos of Cuba.
Photo shows Dusmatov (L) in blue and Martinez in red.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 13 Jul 2025Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 13 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 13 Jul 2025Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 13 Jul 2025Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 12 Jul 2025BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 12 Jul 2025Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
Sat, 12 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 10 Jul 2025