.
Robeisy Ramirez, now a two-weight Olympic gold medallist, and Arlen Lopez claimed double gold for Cuba on the penultimate day of boxing at the Rio Olympics.
Twenty-two-year-old Ramirez – the London 2012 flyweight champion – beat Shakur Stevenson of the USA to secure the 56kg title while his compatriot beat Bektemir Melikuziev of Uzbekistan in the middleweight decider.
Ramirez earned a split decision from a fascinating duel with the New Jersey southpaw, who could ink a pro contract with Floyd Mayweather’s stable.
Ramirez appeared to be a hot favourite to take the Val Barker Award tournament, but today’s disjointed performance could see the Best Boxer accolades go elsewhere.
Lopez earned a unanimous decision over Melikuziev, but bewildering scoring, not for the first time at the 31st Olympiad, left a lot to be desired with the Uzbek clearly winning the second frame.
The bantamweight medals were presented today. Vladimir Nikitin, well beaten by Michael Conlan in the quarter-finals,was presented with bronze.
Great Britain’s Nicola Adams retained her Olympic title on a unanimous decision against France’s Sarah Ourahmoune this evening.
Cuba – Julio Cesar de la Cruz also topped the light-heavy podium – finish the tournament with three gold and three bronze and are poised to top the medals table.
The curtain comes down on the boxing event at the Games on Sunday. Four finals will be decided.
Team Ireland will arrive home from the Rio Olympics on Wednesday next, August 24th, at 17.10 to Terminal One, Dublin Airport on Flight LH 980.
The Team Ireland squad will include athletes from boxing, sailing, hockey and other sports.