In a recent match in Paris, GB boxer Lewis Richardson faced off against Mexican boxer Marco Alonso Verde in the semi-finals of the 71KG category. The fight, which was described as entertaining and close, ended with Verde taking the win by a narrow margin of 3-2 from the judges. This result led Team GB to leave France with only one medal, a bronze that Richardson will take home.
Richardson, understandably disappointed at the loss, still found pride in the fact that he had made history for his hometown of Colchester by reaching the Olympics. While fans and Richardson himself believed he had done enough to secure the victory, it was Verde who emerged victorious. Verde, the reigning Pan-Am champion, fought through fatigue to claim the win and secure his spot in the final.
The battle between the two southpaws was fast-paced, with both fighters landing quality shots and utilizing their jabs effectively. Verde, in particular, found success targeting Richardson’s body. Despite entering the ring with a patched-up left eye from a previous fight, Verde managed to outbox Richardson and secure the win. However, from an outside perspective, Richardson seemed to have performed well enough to win the fight.
Following the match, social media exploded with claims of “robbery” and accusations that Richardson was the clear winner of the fight. The controversy surrounding the scoring at the 2024 Olympics has been a recurring theme, with many fans expressing their frustration at the judging in boxing events. While Richardson may have felt slighted by the decision, both boxers displayed sportsmanlike conduct throughout the match.
In the end, Verde’s victory means that he will advance to the final and compete for the gold on Friday. The intense competition between Richardson and Verde highlights the unpredictable nature of boxing and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in high-stakes competitions like the Olympics.