http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/satoshi_shimizu/75651 Recent articles about Satoshi Shimizu en-us It may seem like a radical notion, but after this year’s Olympics, this writer doesn’t think it is that far off. If there were any Olympic Games that was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back” when it came to boxing’s legitimacy as an Olympic sport, it was the 2012 installment. Two incidents in particular should seriously call into question whether boxing should be an Olympic sport anymore. Both incidents involved referee shenanigans or poor performance. The first was American boxer Errol Spence Jr. losing an elimination round fight to Krishan Vikas of India by a score of 13-11. The scoring was what was up for question, but in this case it wasn’t a matter of the judges not knowing when to push a button to award a point to a fighter. Instead it was the referee not deducting more points from the Indian fighter despite a total of nine fouls for holding against him in the final round. During the round, despite all of the holding, the ref only gave one caution and after late... Sun, 19 Aug 2012 13:30:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/mma_should_replace_boxing_in_the_olympics/11495227 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/mma_should_replace_boxing_in_the_olympics/11495227 MMA Should Replace Boxing in the Olympics http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/mma_should_replace_boxing_in_the_olympics/11495227 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Defending champion Zou Shiming of China narrowly advanced to another gold-medal bout with a tiebreaker victory over Ireland's Paddy Barnes on Friday in the first of 20 semifinal fights in the Olympic boxing tournament. Bantamweight John Joe Nevin of Ireland stunned top-seeded Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba 19-14 to advance to the final against Britain's Luke Campbell, who beat Japan's Satoshi Shimizu 20-11. Ukraine light welterweight Denys Berinchyk and Mongolia's Munkh-Erdene Uranchimeg put on perhaps the best fight of the tournament, with the relentless Berinchyk rallying from a second-round deficit to score a jaw-dropping 17 points in the third round of a 29-21 victory. Berinchyk will face Cuba's Roniel Iglesias in the final. Berinchyk will be joined in the finals by heavyweight teammate Oleksandr Usyk, who dominated Bulgaria's Tervel Pulev to earn a gold-medal bout. He'll meet Italy's Clemente Russo, who beat top-seeded Teymur Mammadov of Azerbaijan in yet another hold-filled bo Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:53:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zou_nevin_get_big_wins_in_semis/11425141 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zou_nevin_get_big_wins_in_semis/11425141 Zou, Nevin get big wins in semis http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/zou_nevin_get_big_wins_in_semis/11425141 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Defending champion Zou Shiming of China narrowly advanced to another gold-medal bout with a tiebreaker victory over Ireland's Paddy Barnes on Friday in the first of 20 semifinal fights in the Olympic boxing tournament. Bantamweight John Joe Nevin of Ireland stunned top-seeded Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba 19-14 to advance to the final against Britain's Luke Campbell, who beat Japan's Satoshi Shimizu 20-11. Ukraine light welterweight Denys Berinchyk and Mongolia's Munkh-Erdene Uranchimeg put on perhaps the best fight of the tournament, with the relentless Berinchyk rallying from a second-round deficit to score a jaw-dropping 17 points in the third round of a 29-21 victory. Berinchyk will face Cuba's Roniel Iglesias in the final. Berinchyk will be joined in the finals by heavyweight teammate Oleksandr Usyk, who dominated Bulgaria's Tervel Pulev to earn a gold-medal bout. He'll meet Italy's Clemente Russo, who beat top-seeded Teymur Mammadov of Azerbaijan in yet another hold-filled bo Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:46:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zou_nevin_get_big_wins_in_olympic_boxing_semis/11424520 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zou_nevin_get_big_wins_in_olympic_boxing_semis/11424520 Zou, Nevin get big wins in Olympic boxing semis http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/zou_nevin_get_big_wins_in_olympic_boxing_semis/11424520 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Ireland, the Ukraine and the hosts were the big winners in the first session of Olympic men's boxing Semifinals Friday in London. Ukrainian sluggers Oleksandr Usyk and Denys Berinchyk booked their tickets in must-see gold medal bouts while John Joe Nevin continued the Irish fairytale started by Katie Taylor. Nevin will now face Britain's Luke Campbell for a gold medal in a surefire bantamweight barnburner in front of a passionate crowd. The only rub on the night was the final, strangely scored heavyweight bout between two boxers, Teymur Mammadov and Clemente Russo, who shouldn't really have been there. Ah well, you can't win 'em all, unless you're from Azerbaijan (which Mammadov's loss showed isn't even true!). (Ireland's Paddy Barnes, right, hard at work against China's Shiming Zou during a brave losing effort, photo via London 2012 Olympics website) Light Flyweight 49kg/108lb Shiming Zou (China)-Paddy Barnes (Ireland), 15-15: Paddy ... Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:54:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/irish_ukrainian_boxers_win_big_olympic_mens_boxing_semifinals_part_one/11424718 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/irish_ukrainian_boxers_win_big_olympic_mens_boxing_semifinals_part_one/11424718 Irish, Ukrainian Boxers Win Big: Olympic Men's Boxing Semifinals Part One http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/irish_ukrainian_boxers_win_big_olympic_mens_boxing_semifinals_part_one/11424718 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png We're in the home stretch of Olympic men's boxing, with just three days worth left beginning Friday. The medal count is complete, but it's now down to who gets which medals. There are some very, very high quality bouts in the Semis at bantamweight and lightweight, some atrocious ones at super heavyweight and some good ones scattered throughout the rest. Our man Alex McClintock will have you covered in the early session of the Semifinal blitzkrieg Friday, while I'll come back at you for the later session.(Freddie Evans, right, aims at Custio Clayton, left; photo via London 2012 Olympics website) The fights below are listed in the order they'll transpire, with all set to be streamed by NBC online. CNBC will get to it later. Light Flyweight 49kg/108lb Shiming Zou (China) vs. Paddy Barnes (Ireland): In 2008, Zou blanked Barnes in Beijing, 15-0. Barnes' team has been joking that their goal isn't gold, but just scoring a point on Zou. Things have changed... Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:18:57 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_mens_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_semifinals_preview/11421157 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_mens_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_semifinals_preview/11421157 Olympic Men's Boxing Guide And Schedule: The Semifinals Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_mens_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_semifinals_preview/11421157 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Siarhei Karneyeu lingered in the ring after his Olympic heavyweight loss, crying and shaking his head in disbelief after his clutching, holding opponent got a narrow victory. When Cuba's Jose Larduet fell victim to a similar decision about 15 minutes later, the Belarusian came back up the fighters' tunnel and intercepted Larduet on the way out of the ring, holding up Larduet's hand as the real winner. Both Karneyeu and Larduet felt cheated by their opponents' clutch-and-grab tactics in the Olympic boxing tournament Sunday night, but amateur boxing's governing body disagreed. After Belarus and Cuba immediately protested the losses, AIBA swiftly conducted reviews Sunday night, rejecting both protests about 90 minutes after the last bout. Azerbaijan's Teymur Mammadov beat Karneyeu on a tiebreaker despite constantly tying up Karneyeu in the second half of the fight, and Italy's Clemente Russo beat Larduet 12-10 with a similar strategy to close the first round of quarterfinal bouts Sun, 05 Aug 2012 20:48:21 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_protests_quickly_rejected/11384122 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_protests_quickly_rejected/11384122 Olympic boxing protests quickly rejected http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_boxing_protests_quickly_rejected/11384122 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With the Olympic men's boxing quarterfinals upon us Sunday afternoon, a medal is just one step away. So, the podium does indeed await very, very soon, as our Patrick Connor wrote in a lovely piece earlier today.As such, we'll look at each match-up rather than just hitting the highlights. First up are the bantamweights and heavyweights who are in action in a matter of minutes. Ireland's John Joe Nevin, by virtue of expressing lacivious decires toward two of America's biggest sporting stars (see below), gets the mascot treatment.CNBC is broadcasting the fights with a start time of 3:30 p.m., if you don't care to watch them online. Bantamweight- 56kg/123.4lb Lazaro Alvarez Estrada (Cuba) vs. Robenilson Vieria de Jesus (Brazil): Alvarez started as the favorite here and he's done nothing to change that, nor has anyone else, although Alvarez did get pushed by Team USA's Joseph Diaz, Jr. A few expected divisional threats have subsided, too. And Vieria barely... Sun, 05 Aug 2012 14:18:09 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_quarterfinals_part_one/11382409 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_quarterfinals_part_one/11382409 Olympic Boxing Guide And Schedule: The Quarterfinals Part One http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_boxing_guide_and_schedule_the_quarterfinals_part_one/11382409 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png There are several noticeable differences when it comes to amateur and professional boxing, such as the shirts, and headgear. However, when it comes to controversy, they’re both equal. It seems that ever since Roy Jones Jr. got ripped off for a gold medal in Seoul, South Korea back in 1988 that Olympic boxing’s possibly been just as corrupt or inept as the professional version. This year’s been no exception with several controversies raging in London, England during the Summer Games’ boxing tournament. One referee has been sent home already with another one suspended. Also, one fight decision was overturned over after an appeal and another appeal is still pending. A referee named Ishanguly Meretnyyazov from the nation of Turkmenistan was kicked out of the Games on Aug. 2, by the AIBA, boxing’s world amateur commission, for his handling of a match. Referee Frank Scharmach of Germany was suspended for a total of five days after he decided to disqualify a heavyweight from Iran, and a te... Sat, 04 Aug 2012 19:13:25 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_just_as_controversial_as_the_pros/11377933 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_just_as_controversial_as_the_pros/11377933 Olympic Boxing Just as Controversial as the Pros http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_boxing_just_as_controversial_as_the_pros/11377933 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/8/e81c474442118fcd40f5be055b6d27cc96cbe557/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f1390948.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1935BBE657AC86A96484F4F49911257A16F.jpg There are several noticeable differences when it comes to amateur and professional boxing, such as the shirts, and headgear. However, when it comes to controversy, they’re both equal. It seems that ever since Roy Jones Jr. got ripped off for a gold medal in Seoul, South Korea back in 1988 that Olympic boxing’s possibly been just as corrupt or inept as the professional version. This year’s been no exception with several controversies raging in London, England during the Summer Games’ boxing tournament. One referee has been sent home already with another one suspended. Also, one fight decision was overturned over after an appeal and another appeal is still pending. A referee named Ishanguly Meretnyyazov from the nation of Turkmenistan was kicked out of the Games on Aug. 2, by the AIBA, boxing’s world amateur commission, for his handling of a match. Referee Frank Scharmach of Germany was suspended for a total of five days after he decided to disqualify a heavyweight from Iran, and a te... Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:10:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/2012_olympics_olympic_boxing_just_as_controversial_as_the_pros/11375077 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/2012_olympics_olympic_boxing_just_as_controversial_as_the_pros/11375077 2012 Olympics: Olympic boxing just as controversial as the pros http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/2012_olympics_olympic_boxing_just_as_controversial_as_the_pros/11375077 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png This video from the London Olympics is pretty big time right now, and with good reason. Japanese bantamweight Satoshi Shimizu (above) was knocking down Azerbaijani Magomed Abdulhamidov all over the place in the 3rd round Wednesday, and the referee treated it like nothing was happening. Rightfully, the result has been overturned and the referee suspended. Other obligations have kept me from commenting until now, but here are a few thoughts: Not that it makes it THAT much better -- and it's indefensible, let's be direct on that point -- but it would be erroneous to say that Shimizu knocked Abulhamidov down "five times" as has commonly been written. A couple times, he just fell. If you want to say he fell as a result of a "series of blows," per International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) rules, that's plausible, but they aren't clear knockdowns. Several, however, were clearly the direct result of punches, and they should have been treated as ... Thu, 02 Aug 2012 22:06:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/breaking_down_the_satoshi_shimizu_vs_magomed_abdulhamidov_video_and_how_it_reflects_on_boxing/11364691 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/breaking_down_the_satoshi_shimizu_vs_magomed_abdulhamidov_video_and_how_it_reflects_on_boxing/11364691 Breaking Down The Satoshi Shimizu Vs. Magomed Abdulhamidov Video And How It Reflects On Boxing http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/breaking_down_the_satoshi_shimizu_vs_magomed_abdulhamidov_video_and_how_it_reflects_on_boxing/11364691 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png An boxing referee from Turkmenistan was expelled from the London Olympics on Thursday for his handling of a bout in which the result was overturned on appeal. Boxing's governing federation, known as AIBA, released a statement saying referee Ishanguly Meretnyyazov ''is on his way back home.'' The federation also suspended German referee Frank Scharmach five days for his decision to disqualify an Iranian heavyweight, and expelled technical official Aghajan Abiyev of Azerbaijan. ''I deeply regret that we had to take these decisions,'' AIBA President Wu Ching-Kuo said. ''However, our main concern has been and will always be the protection of the integrity and fair play of our competitions. I will take all possible steps to reinforce this.'' Both sanctioned referees made unusual decisions during Wednesday night's card. In a bantamweight bout, Magomed Abdulhamidov of Azerbaijan fell to the canvas six times in the third round against Satoshi Shimizu of Jap Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:29:40 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_referee_expelled/11360431 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_referee_expelled/11360431 Olympic boxing referee expelled http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_boxing_referee_expelled/11360431 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png An Olympic boxing referee from Turkmenistan has been expelled from the London Games over his handling of a bout in which the result was overturned on appeal. Boxing's governing body, known as AIBA, says referee Ishanguly Meretnyyazov ''is on his way back home.'' In a bantamweight fight on Wednesday, Satoshi Shimizu of Japan was declared the loser despite repeatedly knocking down Magomed Abdulhamidov of Azerbaijan. AIBA upheld Japan's appeal and said the referee ''should have counted at least three'' knockdowns and stopped the contest. AIBA also has suspended German referee Frank Scharmach for five days, and expelled technical official Aghajan Abiyev of Azerbaijan. The governing body says Abiyev was responsible for ''a number of breaches'' of its code of conduct. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:26:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxing_body_expels_referee_from_london_olympics/11359798 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxing_body_expels_referee_from_london_olympics/11359798 Boxing body expels referee from London Olympics http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/boxing_body_expels_referee_from_london_olympics/11359798 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The evening session of the fifth day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games saw the Bantam (56kg), Heavy (91kg) and Super Heavyweights (91+kg) once again take to the ring at the ExCeL arena where the atmosphere was absolutely electric. The most notable fight was between Anthony Joshua and Erislandy Savon, while the results from another bout have been overturned. With the great Lennox Lewis, gold medallist at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, and Evander Holyfield in the crowd, Great Britain's third seeded Bantamweight (56kg) Luke Campbell, the AIBA World Boxing Championships Baku 2011 silver medalist, opened up proceedings against the experienced 28-year-old Jahyn Vittorio Parrinello. There was a huge expectation from the crowd that the home boxer would be able to impose his style but the Italian was proving more than a match for him. The 25-year-old British southpaw was looking to make his height advantage count in the opening round but could not get that break... Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:52:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_day_5_session_2_joshua_defeats_savon_bout_overturned_on_appeal/11357818 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/olympic_boxing_day_5_session_2_joshua_defeats_savon_bout_overturned_on_appeal/11357818 Olympic boxing day 5 session 2: Joshua defeats Savon, bout overturned on appeal http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/olympic_boxing_day_5_session_2_joshua_defeats_savon_bout_overturned_on_appeal/11357818 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After four fairly orderly days at the Olympics, perhaps the wacky world of amateur boxing was overdue for an eventful night. An Iranian heavyweight received a curious disqualification, a Japanese boxer protested a strange loss to a pratfalling bantamweight from Azerbaijan, and two British fighters delighted the home crowd with narrow victories Wednesday night. Iran's Ali Mazaheri left the ring without shaking hands and later cried conspiracy after a German referee disqualified him from his bout with Cuba's Jose Larduet, apparently for an accumulation of holding fouls. Japan's Satoshi Shimizu also filed a protest after he lost a 22-17 decision to second-seeded Magomed Abdulhamidov despite sending him to the canvas five times in the third round in what appeared to be an exhausted fighter's attempt to maintain a narrow lead. The British crowd jeered and booed those decisions, but stood in near-constant cheers for its home favorites, who still haven't been beaten in London. Bantamweight Luk Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:32:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/british_boxers_win_on_wacky_night/11355082 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/british_boxers_win_on_wacky_night/11355082 British boxers win on wacky night http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/british_boxers_win_on_wacky_night/11355082 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Following the conclusion of today's finals at the AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Event Astana 2012 in Kazakhstan, a further 25 boxers from ten different weight categories qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Please note that each boxer's participation needs to be confirmed by their NOC. They are as follows: Light Fly (46-49kg) - Birzhan ZHAKIPOV from Kazakhstan Fly (52kg) - Ilays SULEIMENOV from Kazakhstan - Tugstsogt NYAMBAYAR from Mongolia - Pak Jong CHOL from the People's Republic of Korea - Katsuaki SUSA from Japan Bantam (56kg) - Shiva THAPA from India - Wessam SALAMANA from Syria - Satoshi SHIMIZU from Japan Light (60kg) - Qiang LIU from China Light Welter (64kg) - Daniyar YELEUSSINOV from Kazakhstan - Serdar HUDAYBERDIYEV from Turkmenistan - Uktamjon RAHMONOV from Uzbekistan - Mehdi TOULOUTIBANDPI from Iran Welter (69kg) - Maimaititue Rsun QIONG from China - Byamba TUVSHINBAT from Mongolia - Amin GHASEMIPOUR from Iran Middle (75kg) - Abbos ATOEV from U... Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:03:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/asian_olympic_boxing_qualifying_results_25_fighters_gain_entry_to_london_2012/10542437 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/asian_olympic_boxing_qualifying_results_25_fighters_gain_entry_to_london_2012/10542437 Asian Olympic boxing qualifying results: 25 fighters gain entry to London 2012 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/asian_olympic_boxing_qualifying_results_25_fighters_gain_entry_to_london_2012/10542437 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png