Women's featherweight favourite Lin Yu-ting suffered early elimination from the Tokyo Olympics on Monday as the four seeded boxers in the event all crashed out.
Top seed Lin was beaten on points by her much smaller opponent Nesthy Petecio on a day of surprises at the Kokugikan Arena.
"I knew she was the top seed, but I didn't think about that in the ring," said Philippines hopeful Petecio, who won gold at the 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships.
"Just because I have beaten the number one doesn't make me more confident. I want to win the gold medal for my country, no one has ever done that." [Hidilyn Diaz won gold for the Philippines in the weightlifting elsewhere on Monday]
ARTINGSTALL OUT TO CEMENT HER NAME IN HISTORY
Jucielen Romeu was one of the other favourites to fall in the women's featherweight competition, going down by a unanimous points decision to Great Britain's Karriss Artingstall.
Artingstall took control of the bout with some controlled aggression and will now face Skye Nicolson, who beat Im Aeji, for a place in the semi-finals.
"Everybody wants gold," Artingstall said. "But I want my face cemented on that wall in Sheffield at boxing HQ, so they can look at my face for the rest of their lives.
"Seeds mean absolutely nothing to me, it's a number – one, twos, threes, whatever you want to call yourself.
"Until you get in that ring and beat me, I'm not going to say you're better than me or you box better than me. For her to be the number three seed meant absolutely nothing."
Michaela Walsh and Khouloud Hlimi Ep Moulahi were the other two seeds to fall on Monday, losing to Irma Testa and Sena Irie respectively on points.
HOME HOPEFUL MORIWAKI GETS HIS REVENGE
Japan's Yuito Moriwaki beat Seyedshahin Mousavi with a split decision win in the men's middleweight division to remain on course for a medal on home soil.
Moriwaki, who lost to the same opponent last year, will now take on number one seed Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine in the last 16.
"The concept for this match was revenge," Moriwaki said. "I am glad I could achieve that today.
"I was able to come here mostly because of the support from people around me. I will not forget gratitude for them and do my best."
Also through to the last 16 are the likes of Tuoheta Erbieke and Troy Isley, the latter overcoming Vitali Bandarenka on points to set up a meeting with second seed Gleb Bakshi.
NO RIO REPEAT IN STORE FOR FINOL
Yoel Finol claimed a silver medal for Venezuela at the Rio Games but he will not have a chance to match or better that achievement five years on in the men's flyweight.
The 24-year-old dropped a three-round unanimous decision to Japan's Ryomei Tanaka, and a showdown with Hu Jianguan of China now awaits the latter.
"I knew he was the silver medallist for the Rio Olympic Games. He is also very tall, too," Tanaka said.
"His weapon is a left straight punch. My weapon is also left straight. Having the same strength, I wanted to win that."
Galal Yafai, competing in his third Games for Great Britain, beat Koryan Soghomonyan with a third-round stoppage in one of the performances of the day.
The four seeded boxers – Amit Panghal, Billal Bennama, Yosvany Veitia and Mohamed Flissi – will enter the competition in the next round.
Jerone Ennis impresses in professional debut with first-round knockout
Jamaican boxer Jerone "Beast" Ennis made a memorable transition from amateur standout to professional prospect with a commanding victory in his debut fight on Saturday night at the Pickering Casino Resort. Ennis, a two-time Caribbean Amateur Champion, showcased his skills and promise by knocking out his Argentinian opponent Marcelo Adrian Fernandez (4-3-1) at 1:51 into the first round of their scheduled four-round contest in the light-heavyweight division.
Ennis wasted no time in displaying his pedigree, exhibiting poise, ring intelligence, and superior technique early in the fight. His chief-cornerman, Ryan "RG" Grant, commended Ennis's performance, stating, "He performed real well, he is a real promising talent coming out of Jamaica. I like that he's a thinker in there and he's got good eyes, looking and seeing his spots to land and to move on defense."
The turning point came when Ennis unleashed a powerful overhand right that sent Fernandez crashing to the canvas, beating the referee's 10-count only to face a relentless barrage of punches from Ennis. The onslaught forced the referee to intervene, awarding Ennis a TKO victory at 1:51 of the first round.
Ennis's victory was significant, as he became the first boxer to stop Marcelo Adrian Fernandez in the opening round of any fight. President of United Boxing Promotions, Tyler Buxton, expressed his satisfaction with Ennis's debut performance, highlighting the promising future ahead for the young Jamaican prospect.
Fellow countryman and stablemate Kemahl "Hitman" Russell praised Ennis's debut, stating, "He did what he was expected to do, the formula worked - training in Jamaica and showing up and proving on the big stage. He has a bright future."
Looking ahead, Ryan Grant emphasized the importance of keeping Ennis active in the ring without any setbacks, indicating high expectations for the rising star.
Born on February 4, 2000, in Denham Town, Kingston, Jamaica, Jerone Ennis represented Jamaica at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, U.K., reaching the quarter-final stage before making his professional debut. Ennis joins an esteemed roster of Jamaican fighters under United Boxing Promotions, including heavyweight Ricardo "Big 12" Brown, middleweight Kemahl "The Hitman" Russell, super welterweight Joshua "HellRazor" Frazer, and super middleweight Shakeel "The Jamaican Juggernaut" Phinn.
Jerone Ennis's successful professional debut marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in his boxing career, with aspirations of achieving further milestones and making a significant impact on the international stage.
This is my time, my destiny, my era and my generation – Fury on Usyk showdown
Tyson Fury has declared it is “my time, my destiny, my era and my generation” ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
WBC champion Fury is set to fight Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO title-holder Usyk on May 18 in Saudi Arabia in the first undisputed world heavyweight bout of the century.
Regarding his opponent, the former unified cruiserweight champion who made his heavyweight debut in 2020, Fury told a press conference on Wednesday: “It’s not personal, it’s strictly business for both fighters. There’s a lot of stuff on the line, but I don’t hate him, he don’t hate me.
“I respect him, as a man, as a fighter. Everyone has to respect the man’s achievements. Good fighter – I have a tough challenge in front of me. But I’m very confident in my ability and I’m very confident I’ll beat the guy.
“When the cruiserweights step up to the big boys, usually they get found wanting. You can beat the average big ones but you can’t beat the elite big ones, because size really matters. We have weight divisions for a reason and he’s going to be found wanting when he fights me on May 18.
“This is my time, my destiny, my era and my generation. Fact.”
Jerone Ennis completes training camp ahead of professional debut in Toronto this weekend
Jerone Ennis, the two-time Caribbean Amateur Champion, has wrapped up his training camp in Jamaica and is now set for his professional debut in Toronto, Canada this Saturday, April 13, 2024. Ennis will face off against Marcelo Adrian Fernandez, an experienced Argentine fighter, in a four-round light heavyweight bout at the Pickering Casino Resort.
Ennis, born on February 4, 2000, hails from Denham Town, Kingston, Jamaica, and represented his country at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, U.K., reaching the quarter-final stage. He recently joined a elite roster of Jamaican talent under United Boxing Promotions, including undefeated heavyweight Ricardo 'Big 12' Brown, middleweight Kemahl 'The Hitman' Russell, super welterweight Joshua 'HellRazor' Frazer, and super middleweight Shakeel 'The Jamaican Juggernaut' Phinn.
Marcelo Adrian Fernandez brings a record of four wins (two by knockout), three losses and a draw, promising a challenging matchup for Ennis's debut. However, United Boxing Promotions President Tyler Buxton expressed confidence in Ennis's abilities, emphasizing his potential to shine in the professional ranks.
"Jerone is an elite boxer, and joins a stable full of the best talent that Jamaica has to offer. We are confident that his skills and determination will shine through in his debut fight against Fernandez," Buxton expressed.
Ennis's training camp in Jamaica was marked by intense preparation, including rigorous fitness regimens and sparring sessions to sharpen his skills. Now in Toronto, Ennis is focused and ready to make an impact in the light heavyweight division.
The stage is set for an exciting showdown as Jerone Ennis steps into the professional boxing arena for the first time, aiming to leave his mark and kick-start his career with a victory over Marcelo Adrian Fernandez. Boxing enthusiasts await eagerly to witness the debut of this promising Jamaican talent on Saturday night.
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