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Boxing is underway at the 2012 Olympics in London, and we've got continuing live coverage here with six middleweight bouts coming your way. Here are the results from part one of the bantamweight round of 32.
Bantamweight (123 lbs/56kg)
Joseph Diaz Jr (United States) def. Pavlo Ishchenko (Ukraine), 19-9: We got kicked off with a big pro-USA moment, as 19-year-old Diaz pretty well dominated a very fun fight, closing big with a 10-point third round that gave him the clear victory. Unfortunately (most likely) for Diaz, he now moves on to face the gold medal favorite Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba in the round of 16.
Sergey Vodopiyanov (Russia) def. Alberto Melian (Argentina), 12-5: Not as much fun as the first fight, and that's not just because I didn't have anyone to get all patriotic about. Melian was outclassed and just didn't offer a lot. It was close on points (5-3) after two rounds, but Vodopiyanov closed well, forcing a standing eight count in the third round and bringing it home.
Robenilson Vieira (Brazil) def. Orzubek Shayimov (Uzbekistan), 13-7: Vieira isn't the prettiest stylist, but with long arms and an ability to make guys miss, he took this one. At moments he was reminiscent of Celestino Caballero. The first round went to the Brazilian, 4-1, which carried him well as Shayimov did fight better in the second and third round.
John Joe Nevin (Ireland) def. Dennis Ceylan (Denmark), 21-6: At this point, Nevin had clearly been the most impressive fighter of the games. Obviously four fights in is pretty early for that call, but why not? Screw it. In all honesty, he looked a genuine prospect. Good body work, mixed up his attack nicely, and though he showed some flaws in the third round, this thing was in the bag after one, let alone two. An excellent start for Nevin, who has the Irish fans excited about his chances.
Kanat Abutalipov (Kazakhstan) def. Wessam Slamana (Syria), 15-7: Fairly easy win for Abutalipov, who was just the better fighter, and craftier (some might say dirtier) to boot. He was simply able to outclass Slamana, who landed a couple of good right hands but did little else.
Oscar Valdez (Mexico) def. Shiva Thapa (India), 14-9: Valdez excited us all, fighting like a reckless pro and securing the win with a big third round, taking that frame 7-3 to seal the deal. Valdez now has to face Anvar Yunusov of Tajikistan in the second round.