http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/alexis_vastine/73460 Recent articles about Alexis Vastine en-us (A few good professionals-to-be? Left to right, via the London 2012 Olympics website: Denys Berenchyk; Roniel Iglesias; Vincenzo Mangiacapre; Munkh-Erdene Uranchimeg)Projecting professional boxing prospects from the Olympics is a dicey affair. The ranks of can't-miss-Olympian-turned-bust are flush. Sometimes the Summer Games' newest graduating class produce a ton of quality pros and sometimes not, and usually it takes a good long while for ex-Olympians to come into their own. But let's not allow dicey-ness to get in the way of speculation. Speculation like this is always fodder for a few kicks. And because amateur gold doesn't equal professional success, we don't have to wait for the last gold medal bouts Sunday to conduct this exercise.What makes an Olympian a good pro prospect? If anybody knew for sure, it wouldn't be dicey. But there are some fighters whose abilities translate better to the pro game than the amateur game. Some have big punching power, but ... Sun, 12 Aug 2012 01:33:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_pro_prospects_from_the_2012_olympic_mens_boxing_class/11436103 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_pro_prospects_from_the_2012_olympic_mens_boxing_class/11436103 Top Pro Prospects From The 2012 Olympic Men's Boxing Class http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_pro_prospects_from_the_2012_olympic_mens_boxing_class/11436103 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It's a feud that's been simmering for seven years - or, if you leaf through the history books, since at least the Middle Ages. From the moment in 2005 that London trumped Paris by four votes in the contest to host the 2012 Olympics, France has seethed - furious that their neighbors and historical adversaries had scored a victory every bit as painful as Napoleon's humbling at the fabled Battle of Waterloo. Now, French anger has burst out into the open. In newspapers, on television debate shows and in scores of posts to social networks, Britain is accused of cheating its way to gold medals in the cycling velodrome and of stretching rules on the rowing course. British crowds have been blasted for failing to show enough support to rival nations' competitors, while organizers have faced scorn for failing to rein in judges deemed too harsh on French athletes. British Prime Minister David Cameron has even defended his country's track cyclists - who won a formidable haul of 14 medals - from in Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:21:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/french_accuse_brits_of_dirty_tricks/11420461 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/french_accuse_brits_of_dirty_tricks/11420461 French accuse Brits of dirty tricks http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/french_accuse_brits_of_dirty_tricks/11420461 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It's a feud that's been simmering for seven years - or, if you leaf through the history books, since at least the Middle Ages. From the moment in 2005 that London trumped Paris by four votes in the contest to host the 2012 Olympics, France has seethed - furious that their neighbors and historical adversaries had scored a victory every bit as painful as Napoleon's humbling at the fabled Battle of Waterloo. Now, French anger has burst out into the open. In newspapers, on television debate shows and in scores of posts to social networks, Britain is accused of cheating its way to gold medals in the cycling velodrome and of stretching rules on the rowing course. British crowds have been blasted for failing to show enough support to rival nations' competitors, while organizers have faced scorn for failing to rein in judges deemed too harsh on French athletes. British Prime Minister David Cameron has even defended his country's track cyclists - who won a formidable haul of 14 medals - from in Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:26:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/fuming_french_accuse_uk_of_olympic_dirty_tricks/11415961 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/fuming_french_accuse_uk_of_olympic_dirty_tricks/11415961 Fuming French accuse UK of Olympic dirty tricks http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/fuming_french_accuse_uk_of_olympic_dirty_tricks/11415961 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Day eleven of the London 2012 Olympic Games with the Men's Fly (52kg) and Welterweights (69kg) taking to the ring at the ExCeL Arena with eight mouth-watering quarter-finals deciding who makes it onto the podium. Getting proceeding underway were 17-year-old rising star from Puerto Rico Jeyvier Cintron Ocasio and top seeded Flyweight (52kg) Misha Aloian from Russia. The Puerto Rican southpaw had surprised everyone by making it to this stage of the competition, his height having been a huge asset in his previous two bouts. He looked to make that count again in the early stages against the speedy reigning AIBA World Champion Aloian. However it was not to be as the tactically astute Russian's quick counter-punching did the business with two sublime left hooks giving him a three point cushion after the first round. Swift one-twos in the second and some nifty footwork from the 24-year-old favorite also saw him continue dominate as he went further ahead in the bout. Aloian looked ... Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:04:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/irish_boxer_conlan_secures_semifinals_berth_olympic_medal/11402248 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/irish_boxer_conlan_secures_semifinals_berth_olympic_medal/11402248 Irish boxer Conlan secures semifinals berth & Olympic medal http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/irish_boxer_conlan_secures_semifinals_berth_olympic_medal/11402248 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The men's Olympic boxing quarterfinals for the Flyweight and Welterweight divisions were held on Tuesday. The last remaining member of the USA boxing team, Errol Spence, was in action in the Welterweight division, where a win would assure him of at least a bronze medal and a chance for more. So how did things fare for Spence and Team USA's final chance for a men's boxing medal at the London 2012 Olympics? Errol Spence - Welterweight, Team USA USA Boxing Results: Errol Spence vs. Andrey Zamkovoy Errol Spence was in action thanks to an overturned decision, and was team USA's only remaining hope to bring home a medal from the men's boxing competition at London. Last time out, Spence entered the ring and looked nervous, clearly feeling the pressure as the last boxer left on the team. This time though, he seemed much more relaxed and at ease, and why not? He has a second chance here, do your best and make the most of it. The first round saw a lot of clinching as th... Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:30:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_results_final_mens_usa_boxer_errol_spence_in_action/11400229 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_results_final_mens_usa_boxer_errol_spence_in_action/11400229 Olympic boxing results: Final men’s USA boxer Errol Spence in action http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_boxing_results_final_mens_usa_boxer_errol_spence_in_action/11400229 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png That'll do it for the Americans in men's boxing at the 2012 Games. Errol Spence, Jr. got resurrected by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) after a successful protest of his loss in the Round of 16, but couldn't capitalize on his second life Tuesday against an opponent who was, simply, better. With that, we can go back to the recriminations and soul-searching we were fixing to do to do after Spence had previously been the last American eliminated, because the 2012 Olympics now represent the worst U.S. showing ever, with no medals at all. We might legitimately second-guess whether Terrell Gausha should still be alive and fighting for a medal in the shallow middleweight division, but most every country can chalk up one bad decision as an excuse.The rest of Tuesday's action featured a number of close fights that put various medal favorites on the defensive big time, with some of the less-esteemed fighters showing their arrival in the Quarterfinals was no... Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:36:54 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_mens_boxing_quarterfinals_results_flyweights_welterweights_and_team_usas_final_exit/11400712 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_mens_boxing_quarterfinals_results_flyweights_welterweights_and_team_usas_final_exit/11400712 Olympic Men's Boxing Quarterfinals Results: Flyweights, Welterweights (And Team USA's Final Exit) http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_mens_boxing_quarterfinals_results_flyweights_welterweights_and_team_usas_final_exit/11400712 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Welterweight Freddie Evans added another impressive win to Britain's growing collection at Olympic boxing Friday, beating fourth-seeded Egidijus Kavaliauskas of Lithuania 11-7. Evans' third-round rally improved the British team to 8-1 at its home Olympics with six fighters still in medal contention. Furious Freddie, as the effusive 21-year-old Welshman is known, rode the support of another frenzied crowd to earn a quarterfinal bout for a medal with Custio Clayton of Canada. ''I've never experienced anything like it before,'' Evans said of the London crowd's support. ''It really gives you a bit of a boost. ... They're all top lads here, but I'm confident that I can come back again and keep doing it.'' Top-seeded flyweight Misha Aloyan of Russia won his opening Olympic bout at ExCel, while Mongolia's Tugstsogt Myambayar upset fourth-seeded Vincenzo Picardi of Italy 17-16. Top-seeded welterweight Taras Shelestyuk and France's Alexis Vastine also Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:17:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/britain_rolls_in_olympic_boxing/11371315 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/britain_rolls_in_olympic_boxing/11371315 Britain rolls in Olympic boxing http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/britain_rolls_in_olympic_boxing/11371315 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The seventh day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games saw the second round of preliminaries in the Men's Flyweight (52kg) and Welterweight (69kg) categories. The packed ExCeL arena once again reserved a huge reception for all the boxers during the afternoon session. Top seed Misha Aloian, the reigning World and European Champion, made his bow in the competition as he faced tough Algerian Samir Brahimi in the first Flyweight (52kg) contest. Looking to connect first with the body shots then with those hard one-two combinations, Aloian was keen to impose himself on his opponent from the off. Brahimi was proving a difficult rival to breakdown, constantly moving, very elusive, doing everything he could to unsettle the Russian, even a spot of showboating. Aloian's superior technique though ensured he went through to the quarter-finals after winning each round to progress with an impressive 14:9 victory. It was an intriguing contest between Juliao Henriques Neto from Br... Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:29:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/day_7_olympic_boxing_results_highlighted_by_freddie_evans_misha_aloian/11369620 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/day_7_olympic_boxing_results_highlighted_by_freddie_evans_misha_aloian/11369620 Day 7 Olympic boxing results highlighted by Freddie Evans & Misha Aloian http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/day_7_olympic_boxing_results_highlighted_by_freddie_evans_misha_aloian/11369620 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Controversy has engulfed the Olympic boxing once again, with a couple of terrible nights of scoring in London. Bad scoring and refereeing really suck, but we at TQBR are going to put on a brave face and continue to guide you through the competition. Friday we’ve got the men’s round of 16 in the flyweight and welterweight divisions. Our previous schedules were accompanied by a picture of American bantamweight Joe Diaz, Jr., who was bundled out of the tournament by Cuba’s Lazaro Alvarez in a brave effort. So we’ll start a new tradition with a pic of American welterweight Errol Spence. With a name like Errol, he was born into that rakish moustache. Flyweight – 52kg/114.6lb – 3 August America’s last remaining serious medal hope, Rau’shee Warren faces France’s Nordine Oubaali after a bye in the first round. Considering the sharks in this division, Oubaali is a relatively easy draw. Warren best concentrate though, so as not to repeat his early exit in Beijing. Russian world and Europe... Fri, 03 Aug 2012 01:02:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_mens_round_of_16_part_two/11365321 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_mens_round_of_16_part_two/11365321 Olympic Boxing Guide And Schedule: The Men’s Round Of 16 Part Two http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_mens_round_of_16_part_two/11365321 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Since its inception the Olympic Games have brought a magical feeling of sporting excellence as the best athletes in the world gather to fight for a medal to validates their life work, proving that all their hard work and dedication wasn’t all for nothing. This year I am giving insomnia a try, well, I think I already have but regardless, I am going to watch all the Olympic action for sports that matter to the usual fight geek, y’know? the ones that want to know where the next Dan Henderson or Randy Couture is coming from. At this stage, only Judo and Boxing events have been deemed worthy of my attention so I’ll take a look at action-packed day two on stage in London. Men’s -66kg Judo While it was Lasha Shavdatuashvili who walked away with the Olympic gold medal wrapped around his neck for Georgia unquestionably the story of the day was Great Britain’s Colin Oates’ run through the series. Oates spoiled the coming out party for Australia’s top medal hope for Judo Ivo dos Santos denyi... Mon, 30 Jul 2012 06:58:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/fight_geek_olympics_day_2_coverage_for_judo_boxing/11332120 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/fight_geek_olympics_day_2_coverage_for_judo_boxing/11332120 Fight Geek Olympics: Day 2 coverage for Judo & Boxing http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/fight_geek_olympics_day_2_coverage_for_judo_boxing/11332120 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The US boxing team stood and cheered for Errol Spence throughout the welterweight's bout, the sweatsuited fighters' shouts echoing across the sold-out arena. Their camaraderie is standing out at the Olympics -- and not just because they're so darn loud. After the previous US team squabbled on the way to its worst Olympic showing ever, these Americans are sticking together. They're already off to a fine start in London, and they've joined Britain and Ireland with a perfect games so far. Jose Ramirez and Spence won their opening bouts Sunday night to improve the Americans to 4-0, while Freddie Evans and Josh Taylor rode the home crowd's raucous cheers to a 3-0 start for Britain. Welterweight Adam Nolan then added a win in the late session, pushing Ireland's record to 3-0. The young Americans fought nearly back-to-back, and both produced impressive wins over seasoned amateur veterans for a formerly powerful boxing nation that won just six total fights and one medal in Beijing. Thi Sun, 29 Jul 2012 23:03:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/american_boxers_are_sticking_together/11338276 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/american_boxers_are_sticking_together/11338276 American boxers are sticking together http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/american_boxers_are_sticking_together/11338276 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Freddie Evans and Josh Taylor maintained Britain's perfect start at its home Olympic boxing tournament Sunday, and Custio Clayton notched Canada's first Olympic win in eight years. After Evans posted an 18-10 victory over Algerian welterweight Ilyas Abbadi in the final bout of the afternoon session, Taylor upset Brazilian lightweight Robson Conceicao 13-9 in the opening bout of the evening session, delighting two sold-out crowds waving dozens of Union Jacks and giving repeated standing ovations. The crowd support clearly is buoying the Brits, who are 3-0 through the first four sessions. Britain has thoroughly revitalized its amateur ranks in the eight years since teenager Amir Khan won a silver medal in Athens as the team's lone fighter, and this strong start at home suggests podium finishes in the Brits' future. ''It was unbelievable, like nothing I've ever experienced before,'' Evans said of the crowd support after he peppered Abbadi with quick punches. ''It ju Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:13:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/evans_keeps_brits_unbeaten_in_boxing/11327173 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/evans_keeps_brits_unbeaten_in_boxing/11327173 Evans keeps Brits unbeaten in boxing http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/evans_keeps_brits_unbeaten_in_boxing/11327173 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Evans delights crowds with win It was sensational at the ExCeL as the boxing event at the London 2012 Olympic Games went into its second day. The much anticipated Lightweight (60kg) and Welterweight (69kg) categories showcased some of the most talented boxers on the planet and the action did not disappoint. Kicking off proceedings in the first of the six Lightweight (60kg) bouts in the afternoon session was the exciting Dominican Republic's Wellington Arias Romero against orthodox Eduar Marriaga Campo. It was the southpaw who started brightly, throwing lots of punches with the straight left hitting its target several times. A bit of showboating by the Dominican and the clever use of the jab saw him once again score heavily with that straight left. Arias Romero's superior technique continued to have his Colombian opponent on the back foot in the final round as he recorded an impressive 17:8 victory. It was an all-African affair when Ahmed Mejri of Tunisia and B... Sun, 29 Jul 2012 14:23:54 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/day_2_olympic_boxing_results_freddie_evans_steals_the_show_for_home_fans/11326072 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/day_2_olympic_boxing_results_freddie_evans_steals_the_show_for_home_fans/11326072 Day 2 Olympic boxing results: Freddie Evans steals the show for home fans http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/day_2_olympic_boxing_results_freddie_evans_steals_the_show_for_home_fans/11326072 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Freddie Evans maintained Britain's perfect start to its home Olympic boxing tournament with an 18-10 victory over Algerian welterweight Ilyas Abbadi on Sunday. Evans earned a solid victory in the final bout of the afternoon session, delighting the sold-out crowd waving dozens of Union Jacks and giving repeated standing ovations. Custio Clayton earned Canada's first Olympic boxing victory in eight years with a 12-8 decision over Mexico's Oscar Molina, and France's Alexis Vastine beat German welterweight Patrick Wojcicki 16-12. Dominican lightweight Wellington Arias was impressive in a 17-8 victory over Colombia's Eduar Marriaga, but earned the dubious honor of facing Ukraine's top-seeded Vasyl Lomachenko on Thursday. Sun, 29 Jul 2012 12:28:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/evans_keeps_brits_unbeaten_in_olympic_boxing/11325205 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/evans_keeps_brits_unbeaten_in_olympic_boxing/11325205 Evans keeps Brits unbeaten in Olympic boxing http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/evans_keeps_brits_unbeaten_in_olympic_boxing/11325205 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With just a few days to go until the biggest show on Earth gets underway in the British capital, we look at the men and women in each of the weight categories who can have a real impact at the London 2012 Olympic Games. In the second of this four part series, we examine the Light (60kg), Light Welter (64kg) and Welterweight (69kg) men. ---> Check out part 1 of this series here Men Lightweight (60kg) 2008 Olympic Title holder: Alexey Tishchenko (RUS) 2011 AIBA World Champion: Vasyl Lomachenko (UKR) Vasyl Lomachenko (Credit: AIBA) It is hard to look beyond arguably the world's best Olympic pound for pound boxer, Ukrainian superstar Vasyl Lomachenko (photo), for this one. After taking the Featherweight (57kg) gold in 2008, the last four years have geared up towards the London 2012 Olympic Games for the powerful 24-year-old. He was the leading light in Beijing where he took the Val Barker Trophy, awarded to the outstanding fighter in the whole tournament. Las... Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:07:15 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxers_to_watch_for_at_the_2012_london_olympics_part_2/11288800 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxers_to_watch_for_at_the_2012_london_olympics_part_2/11288800 Boxers to watch for at the 2012 London Olympics: Part 2 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/boxers_to_watch_for_at_the_2012_london_olympics_part_2/11288800 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/5/a57d6c70e24c111ba7f7664c94a17c0415d71b9d/mini/olympics-day-boxing.jpg