Bahodir Jarolov won his second consecutive Olympic super-heavyweight gold medal at Roland Garros on Saturday.
The towering Uzbek defeated Spain’s Ayoub Gadelfa in dominant fashion, allowing his opponent two points in the first round alone to win via unanimous decision.
This final is the last match of the 2024 Paris Olympic boxing competition and will currently be the last match in the history of Olympic boxing.
But the Olympics may be waving goodbye to boxing
The sport has not yet been included in the program for the next Olympics in 2028 as it does not currently have a recognized governing body.
The IBA, the federation that historically governed international amateur sports, has been banned from managing Olympic competitions. The IOC insists boxing can only return to the Olympics under a new federation.
A new organization, World Boxing, has been formed in the hope of saving the Olympic sport, but time is running out.
Australia’s Caitlin Parker, who won middleweight bronze at Saturday’s 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’re here today as well. The whole tournament showed the importance of boxing. Boxing is popular, it attracts people and I just think people need to make sure it happens.
“I’m going to keep talking about it because it’s every kid’s dream. It’s my dream and to be able to go to the Olympics for the second time and get on the podium, it’s a dream come true.
“I hope other people can do the same.”
Chinese Olympic champion Li Qian spoke out for the event, adding simply and clearly: “I support this.”
dominant super heavyweight
Jalolov won what may have been his last gold medal at the Olympics in boxing.
He measured Gadfa with a long southpaw jab and picked the right moment to land a hard left straight.
A huge pass gave the Spaniard a first-round victory. Jarolov then jumped in and tried to attack while Gadelfa was vulnerable, but he accidentally ended up on Gadelfa’s right side.
However, this prompted a furious reaction and another hard blow gave the Spaniard a second count at the bell.
He got to his feet but didn’t find his footing in the game.
Yarolov continued his aggressive approach in the second round. He shot first with his left foot and then with his right foot, confusing Gadelfa. The Spaniard wasn’t ready for these shots, but they timed him cleanly.
The Uzbek got control of him, knocking Gadefa down with a left hook that he repeated to end the round.
However, he ignored the finish line in the stands. Rather than looking for a knockout, he made sure he had no room for error.
Yarolov was not in a hurry. He left Gadefa looking for an opening, only to punish the Spaniard with harsh counters en route to a unanimous decision victory.
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