Photo: Sweet Science MGT: In the 2024 Olympics Canada’s Tamara Thibeault is one of the top favourites, across all nations, to make it to the podium.
I have only one memory of being inconsolable as a child; it happened on July 27, 1996. I was 14 at the time, monopolizing the only TV in our modest 5½ on Dandurand Street in Rosemont, waiting for Radio-Canada to broadcast Jean-François Bergeron’s first fight at the Olympic Games.
At the time, I had just told my father it would be a formality; the firefighter from Laval had beaten Attila Levin by KO the previous year in Finland. Bernard Barré summed it up perfectly… It’s a disaster; the Swede eliminated Bergeron in 59 seconds. I threw my Videoway remote and locked myself in my room. I’ve been quick-tempered for a long time.
Once I calmed down, I realized that the Olympics are a major competition where I can spot tomorrow’s professional talent.
Andre Ward, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua—I had them all on my radar after watching them at the Olympics.
A seasoned promoter like Camille Estephan is already preparing his MontBlanc Pix Blue Ballpoint to add a few talents to his stable after the Paris Games.
In 2024, I don’t want to watch boxing alone, which is why I’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to help you get ready to sit in front of your TV for 14 days.
Your Guide to the Olympic Games
The boxing semi-finals and finals will take place at the iconic Roland-Garros Stadium. Also, the preliminaries and quarter-finals will be held at the Paris Nord Arena, located in the heart of a large exhibition park used for various shows and fairs. The United States leads the medal table with 117 since 1904.
Jean-François Chabot and Marie-Eve Dicaire will provide analysis and commentary here in Quebec.
Weight Categories
249 boxers are expected in Paris, 125 men and 124 women across 13 weight categories.
Men’s weight divisions:
- 51 kg
- 57 kg
- 63.5 kg
- 71 kg
- 80 kg
- 92 kg
- +92 kg
Women’s weight divisions:
- 50 kg
- 54 kg
- 57 kg
- 60 kg
- 66 kg
- 75 kg
Our Canadian… and Haitian Boxers
Starting with good news, Canada hasn’t won gold at the Olympics since Seoul in 1988, but…
After Lennox Lewis, Here Comes Tamara Thibeault!
The pride of Saint-Georges in Beauce is the top favorite to clinch gold in the 75-kilogram category. The Irish Aoife O’Rourke and refugee athlete Cindy Ngamba are the only two boxers who might challenge her.
I predict gold for Tammara Thibeault.
Wyatt Sanford
From Nova Scotia, in the 63.5 kg category, he returns to the Olympics for a second time. He’s in a very strong division dominated by Russian and Uzbek athletes. He’s very good, and I see him flirting with the podium. If memory serves, the last time Nova Scotia saw a boxing podium was with the Nigerian-born Canadian heavyweight David Defiagbon.
Cédrick Bélony
Now coming from Longueuil, he has just received an invitation from the Haitian Olympic Committee to the Olympics. The IOC always keeps a few invitations, and since Bélony had accumulated some victories in the qualifiers, it was decided he deserved to be there. The 80-kilogram boxer will compete under the red and blue colors. I met with him before his departure, and I was impressed by his kindness, calm demeanor (in every sense of the word), and intelligence. I predict a good run for him at the Olympics and a pro career that will make a lot of noise in Canada.
Men’s Boxing: What to Watch
The Cuban boxing school
The Cuban boxers Arlen López (80 kg) and Julio César La Cruz (92 kg) each aim for their third consecutive Olympic gold.
Arlen López will likely face Manny Pacquiao’s protégé in the final. Eumir Marcial is one of the few who can challenge him.
Julio César La Cruz has already lost to Albert Ramirez. Since then, he has still lost a few fights. He’s the favorite for gold, but he’s no longer untouchable.
The red, white and blue
The American team has only won gold once in the last 20 years, thanks to Claressa Shields. Things could change in Paris; I’ve identified two boxers who could aspire to the top step of the podium.
Joshua Edwards in the 92 kg category is the first boxer from Houston to qualify for the Olympics since George Foreman. If he has a perfect tournament, he can dream of gold.
Omari Jones, 72 kg, overcame a severe cut to defeat one of the Paris favorites, Nishant Dev, in the qualifiers. The 21-year-old is aggressive in the ring and has already defeated two Olympians and Dev in the past year. He’s pumped up and wants to end the 20-year gold medal drought in men’s boxing for the United States.
The terror
Uzbek boxer Bakhodir Jalolov, over 92 kg, scares me. Besides having 14 KOs in as many professional outings, his government provided him with a private jet to travel between California and the Olympic qualifiers. The 6’7″ southpaw even angered Mauricio Sulaiman, who claims he should no longer be competing in Olympic boxing. After winning in Tokyo in 2021, I’d be surprised to see him lose a single round in 2024. He’s a 3-to-1 favorite to win gold.
Women’s Boxing: What to Watch
Beatriz Ferreira
The Brazilian boxer wants to win gold after taking silver in Tokyo in 2020. She especially wants to become the first to win an IBF 135 pro title and an Olympic gold medal in the 60 kg category in the same year.
Kellie Harrington
This Irish boxer hadn’t lost in years until she was surprised by Natalia Shadrina in her last fight. Already a gold medalist in Tokyo in the 60 kg category, she wants to achieve the feat again. A rematch in the final against Beatriz Ferreira already excites Marie-Eve Albert from the 120 Seconds podcast.
The amazing Turkish team
Turkish boxer Busenaz Sürmeneli doesn’t hide it. She aims for a treble: 2020-2024-2028. This boxer has dominated the competition since her debut in 2013. She has already won everything and claims she wants to win the five major competitions a second time. I already give her the gold; she’s only 26 years old.
Her compatriot Buse Naz Cakiroglu, 50 kg, with a first name likely common in Turkey, is also the favorite in her division.
The Turkish team has been a boxing powerhouse for several years.
For the history books
Feofaaki A Kakau Epenisa will become the first boxer from the Kingdom of Tonga to represent her country at the Olympic Games. It’s a beautiful story; she started training barefoot outside, bitten by mosquitoes and stray dogs. Her diet consisted of the fruits she found in the trees. Now she’s at the Olympic Games.
Fights to Dream Of
At the time of writing, the draw hasn’t taken place yet. Still, I can dream of some great gold medal duels.
Sofiane Oumiha (France) vs. Ruslan Abdullaev (Uzbekistan)
The Frenchman is the favorite to win the 63.5 kg category. He boasts a 9-0 record as a pro; he’s aggressive and quick on his feet. Ruslan is only 22, but he rarely loses since 2017, demolishing the competition.
**Message to Camille Estephan:** you must sign Ruslan Abdullaev after the Olympics; I’m ready to pay for the Uber.
Oleksandr Khyzhniak (Ukraine) vs. Arlen Lopez (Cuba)
The Ukrainian has never gotten over his loss at the 2021 Olympics, but he hasn’t lost since moving to the 80 kg category. He’s established as the favorite in the division; even the Cuban Lopez, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, won’t bother him. Khyzhniak is so strong and powerful; he constantly puts pressure and never slows down.
If You like KOs
Oleksandr Khyzhniak will win the Val Barker trophy for the tournament’s best boxer.
In the 71 kg category, Kazakh Aslanbek Shymbergenov should be on your radar. He’s the favorite, but his power is such that he can end a fight at any moment, even in Olympic boxing.
Don’t bother me between July 27 and August 10; I’ll be glued to my TV.
