NIKITIN CEDES WALKOVER AT RIO OLYMPICS

Pavilion 6 venue for boxing at Rio

Pavilion 6 venue for boxing at Rio

Russian bantamweight Vladimir Nikitin has ceded a walkover to Shakur Stevenson of the USA at Rio 2016.

Both men were due to meet this evening in the 56kg semi-final, but Nikitin withdrew due to the injuries he suffered in his semi-final at the hands of Michael Conlan.

Three judges awarded Nikitin their decision in that fight.

Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez, who won flyweight gold at the London Olympics, beat Uzbekistan’s Murodjan Akhamadaliev this evening to set up the final with Stevenson.

Both Ramirez and  Stevenson are now guaranteed at least silver.

Cuba’s Julio Cesar La Cruz, who beat Ireland’s Joe Ward in the 2015 World Elite final, won light-heavy gold tonight in Rio.