Ghana’s Samuel Takyi fought gallantly but in the end, lost to American Duke Ragan in a tight semi final contest.
The American was a bit more slick and used ring management to nick it on points after an aggressive start from his amateur opponent.
Against an older opponent who is unbeaten in four professional fights back home, the Ghanaian stood his ground and threw punches till the very end.
Takyi may have been hindered after a couple of warnings from the referee for late blows and punching at the back of his opponents’ neck, but he also took some solid shots from Ragan.
In the final round, the American started the better with good combinations and although Takyi rallied late, the judges gave the fight to Ragan 4-1 via split points decision.
The disappointment of missing out on the gold medal bout can still not
take anything away from Samuel Takyi as he secured Ghana’s first Olympic medal in 29 years.
The medals presentation after the final bouts on Thursday will be Ghana’s first Olympic podium appearance in any sport since Barcelona 1992.
Duke Ragan advances to fight for the USA‘s first featherweight gold medal since Meldrick Taylor in Los Angelea 1984, and its first men’s gold medal since Andre Ward in Athens 2004.
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