Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Day 4 Preview
by Brian Taylor, USA Boxing
The fourth day of action will see Team USA’s two welterweights, Delante Johnson (Cleveland, Ohio) and Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio), compete in the round of 16 at the Kokugikan Arena. Below is a closer look at their bouts.
Delante Johnson vs. Ablaikhan Zhussupov/KAZ
Johnson will look to improve on his first-round performance when he steps into the ring with Kazakhstan’s Ablaikhan Zhussupov. Zhussupov, the sixth ranked boxer in the Boxing Task Force (BTF) rankings, will be another difficult opponent for the American, as Zhussupov brings a great deal of experience, having won the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, bronze medals at the 2017 and 2019 Elite World Championships, as well as the experience of competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he finished 17th.
One advantage Johnson will have over Zhussupov is having already boxed in these Games, while Zhussupov will be making his debut after receiving a bye in the first round.
Johnson will step into the ring in bout 2 during the second session.
Oshae Jones vs. Brianda Tamara Cruz Sandoval/MEX
Jones will make history when she steps into the ring, as she will be the first American female welterweight to compete in an Olympic Games, however, the 2019 Pan American Games champion is looking to make a lot of history in Tokyo and the first step in doing so will be a successful bout against Brianda Cruz of Mexico.
Jones, who is ranked 11th in the BTF rankings, will look to come out with a strong statement against Cruz, who finished third at the 2019 Pan American Games and ranked 31st, to advance to the quarterfinals. Jones will make her debut in the 11th bout of the second session of the day.
Click here to follow the action, set to begin at 4:00 a.m. EST on July 27.