http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/zhang_xiaoping/76036 Recent articles about Zhang Xiaoping en-us 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 third of this four part series, we examine the Middle (75kg), Light Heavy (81kg), Heavy (91kg) and Super Heavyweight (+91kg) men. Men Middleweight (75kg) 2008 Olympic Title holder: James DeGale (GBR) 2011 AIBA World Champion: Ievgen Khytrov (UKR) Ukraine's Khytrov was in irrepressible form in Baku last year and the word is that he will be even better this summer so he will start the tournament in London as favorite. However there are many pretenders to the Olympic title with Japan's Ryota Murata, who lost to Khytrov in the final in the Azeri capital, a serious threat to the 23-year-old Ukrainian. Tough Irishman Darren O'Neill, a 2010 European Championships silver medalist, has the experience to really influence the top of the podium... Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:40:09 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/best_boxers_to_watch_at_the_olympics_part_3_middleweight_heavyweight_divisions/11297680 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/best_boxers_to_watch_at_the_olympics_part_3_middleweight_heavyweight_divisions/11297680 Best boxers to watch at the Olympics: Part 3 – Middleweight & heavyweight divisions http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/best_boxers_to_watch_at_the_olympics_part_3_middleweight_heavyweight_divisions/11297680 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png China is coming up in the world of international amateur boxing, just as it is in most other sectors of world affairs. Still, just how far they have come is a serious question, and one that will be answered at this year's London Olympics. The Chinese boxing squad went from winning one bronze medal in Athens to scoring two golds, one silver and one bronze in Beijing. Given that some of China's matches were marred by highly questionable, hometown scoring, it's a safe guess that count would look different if the 2008 Summer Games had been held elsewhere. Even so, the Chinese squad is set to win medals this year. The formidable Zhou Shiming is making his third Olympic bid this year, and the remainder of China's large team has some strong, mid-ranking material in it. I would not be surprised to see China going home this year with one gold or silver, plus a bronze or two. ---> Check out all of our 2012 London Olympic boxing coverage Meng Fanglong (Light Hea... Tue, 01 May 2012 10:07:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/chinese_olympic_boxing_team_at_london_2012/10693001 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/chinese_olympic_boxing_team_at_london_2012/10693001 Chinese Olympic boxing team at London 2012 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/chinese_olympic_boxing_team_at_london_2012/10693001 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Including its Soviet athletes, Russia traditionally sends a strong boxing squad to the Summer Olympics. The Beijing Games were no exception, with the Russian team picking up two golds and a bronze in 2008. Although none of those past medal winners are going to London this summer, Russian amateur boxing has such a deep talent pool that their Olympic squad can sport plenty of new faces and remain a formidable challenge for any comers. If the strength of the Russian team is not enough of a reason to follow the Russians at the London Games, Russia's stature in the professional ranks ought to be. Ever since Kostya Tszyu emigrated to Australia in 1992, the Russian National Boxing Team has served as a springboard for many notable fighters. Beijing's team sent Rakhim Chakhkiyev and Matvey (Matt) Korobov on to prospering careers as professionals, and London 2012 could send many more. ---> Check out all of our London 2012 Olympic Boxing Coverage The Russian Boxing Squa... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:09:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/london_2012_the_russian_olympic_boxing_team/10639180 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/london_2012_the_russian_olympic_boxing_team/10639180 London 2012: The Russian Olympic Boxing Team http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/london_2012_the_russian_olympic_boxing_team/10639180 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png