Brendan Irvine-defeater wins Olympic Gold
Brendan Irvine can now say that he exited the Olympic Games at the gloves of the best in the division.
The ‘Wee Rooster’ was beaten by Shakhobidin Zoirov in his Olympic debut and exited his first Games at the first hurdle back in August 13.
However, the Belfast 20 year old can take solace in the fact the Uzbekistan fighter went on to win gold and prove himself the best amateur flyweight on the planet at present.
Zoirov went on to win the gold medal at flyweight after a close bout with decorated Russian Misha Aloyan.
Zoirov won all three judges’ scorecards, 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, taking the fight with an unanimous third frame.
In addition to ruling the Rooster, the Uzbek also defeated US and Venezuelan phenoms Antonio Vargas and Yoel Finol, and accounted for Azerbaijan’s reigning World champion Elvin Mamishzade.
Following yesterday’s result Irvine noted that “it’s good to know I’m not too far away.”
“Just goes to show you the level of competition here.”
Irvine is the only Irish boxer this year to have been defeated by the eventual gold medalist. This number was three in London, while in Beijing all five Irish boxers lost to the eventual winner.
