Davis and Torrez Jr. Close Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with Silver Medals

Davis and Torrez Jr. Close Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with Silver Medals

TOKYO, AUGUST 8 - Keyshawn Davis (Norfolk, Va.) and Richard Torrez Jr. (Tulare, Calif.) closed out their Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 run with silver medals following hard fought fights during the final day of boxing at the Kokugikan Arena.

Davis, who once again went head-to-head with

Cuban Andy Cruz, saw the first round go in favor of the Cuban 4-1, however picked up the pace in the second round, landing a right hand to Cruz’s chin, and continued to box well to take all five judge’s cards, evening the scores and having the lead on one heading to the final round.

With all on the line, both boxers looked to clinch the victory, however, Cruz was awarded all five cards, taking the victory and the Olympic gold medal by a 4-1 decision.

Super heavyweight Torrez was the final member of Team USA to enter the ring to close out these Olympic Games and took to the ring against another familiar foe, Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov.

Torrez came out strong in the opening round, landing some powerful left-hand shots to his 6’7” opponent, resulting in the American to take a 3-2 lead. The second round saw Jalolov come back with his own strong round, landing several left hands, with one resulting in a cut on the left eye of Torrez and a standing eight count halfway through the round. Torrez also saw a point deducted after receiving multiple warnings for ducking too low.

The American who showed how big his heart truly is, did not give up and continued to give it his all until the final bell. However, Torrez was not able to grab the final round, dropping a unanimous decision and taking home the silver medal, the first for a super heavyweight from the United States since 1988.

Davis and Torrez join Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, Ohio) as silver medalist, with Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio) earning the bronze medal. The four medals won by Team USA marks the most successful Olympic Games for the team since 2000.

Relive all the action from Tokyo, including results, highlights and full replays by clicking here.

Finals Results

63 kg: Andy Cruz/CUB dec. over Keyshawn Davis, Norfolk, Va./USA, 4-1

91+ kg:, Bakhodir Jalolov/UZB dec. over Richard Torrez Jr., Tulare, Calif./USA, 5-0

 

Davis Quotes

On how he would sum up the fight:

“I feel like it was a great fight. I ain't really get to watch it. It was moving so fast, I barely remember it. But I felt like it was a 3-2 decision, it was a good technical fight, I think the fans loved it.”

On not being able to win gold:

“I'm not cool with it, but like I said it's something I got to live with, you know, and I'm okay with that. I'm gonna live with it and we're just gonna take it to the next level. 

“A lot of great fighters didn't get a gold medal going into professional ranks - Floyd Mayweather, and look at him now. This doesn't define me. I'm still a gold medalist, a great fighter, at the end of the day.”

On winning a silver medal:

“Everything was worth it, man. Even though it's a silver medal, I still learned a lot about myself in this tournament, leading up to the silver medal. I think I'm a better fighter now.

“Like I said, I've never felt this much pressure in fights a day in my life - back to back fights, tough fights at that - and I'm glad I got to experience this because it did make me a better fighter.”

On his pride in himself:

“I'm proud because I put my professional career on hold, put my money on hold to accomplish my dream. And I did that. A lot of people wouldn’t take that risk, wouldn't take that opportunity to put what they have on hold when everything was going their way, they was getting everything they wanted, risking their career, putting their bodies on the line to do something extraordinary, and I did that.”

 

Torrez Quotes

On his feelings: 

"I feel like I had the world in my hands, and it slipped. And I watched it fall and break, and I'm trying to pick up the pieces."

On how in time he might feel differently about winning silver:

"I've been on the medal podium before, and it's one of the best and worst feelings to ever feel. To not have that flag raised, to not have that anthem played, to sit there and one guy is crying tears of the joy, the other sadness. When you are in that position it's really tough. So maybe one day I'll look back and say I did a good job, because I do believe I did a good job, but it's tough.

"This is one of the most bittersweet moments I've ever felt."

On gold medalist Bakhodir JALOLOV:

"He's a big dude. He's a huge competitor. I just want to say congratulations to him. Being in that ring and getting hit, it's not fun. You know, it's not fun to get hit in the ring. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. I got hit one time, I got wobbled, but I was able to maintain my feet, I was able to maintain my composure and continue. 

"I'm in that division where one punch changes everything. And today it didn't go my way."

On USA not winning gold in men’s boxing since 2004:

"My teammates fought their heart out. I think we came in here and we did something that a lot of people didn't think we were going to do. 

"I think overall as a team, we are putting boxing back into the USA. I do believe that we are giving it a surge again. I believe it's coming, I really do. I'm sorry I couldn't be the one to do it, but I have pride and I have belief my country."