Olympics: U.S.' Richard Torrez Jr., Duke Ragan win to earn at least bronze

The U.S. men had an impressive day in Olympic boxing.

Super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. and featherweight Duke Ragan won their matches in the quarterfinals to guarantee themselves at least a bronze medal, the third Americans to do so thus far. They join women’s welterweight Oshae Jones, who earned a spot in the semis earlier.

Torrez overcame a slow start and a cut to outpoint Cuban Dainier, who had defeated Torrez in the 2019 Pan American Games. The resident of Tulare, Calif., lost the first round on the cards of four of the five judges but picked up his pace and outworked a fading Dainier the rest of the way to win a 4-1 split decision early Sunday U.S. time.

Four judges had Torrez winning 29-28, one scored it for Pero by the same score.

The U.S.’ Duke Ragan (left) earned at least a bronze medal by outpointing Kurt Walker of Ireland. Andrew P. Scott / USA TODAY Sports

Thus, Torrez becomes the first U.S. super heavyweight to win a medal since Riddick Bowe won the silver medal in the 1988 Games.

Next up for Torrez is Kamshybek Kunkabayev of Kazakhstan in the semifinals late Tuesday U.S. time.

Meanwhile, Ragan, from Cincinnati, defeated Irishman Kurt Walker by a 3-2 split decision late Saturday night U.S. time.

Ragan, fighting behind a stiff jab, got off to a quick start by winning the opening round on all five cards and then held off a gallant effort from Walker, who fought Rounds 2 and 3 with a bad cut over his right eye.

All five judges had scores of 29-28, three of which went to Ragan, who will face Samuel Takyi of Ghana in the semis on Tuesday evening U.S. time.

Also coming up for the Americans: Keyshawn Davis of Alexandria, Va., will face Gabil Mamedov of the Russian Olympic Committee in a quarterfinal match late Monday U.S. time; and Jones faces Gu Hong of China in her semifinal bout late Tuesday U.S. time.