Olympic Boxing: Oscar Valdez Fierro vs Shiva Thapa

by Gautham Nagesh

Bantamweights Oscar Valdez Fierro of Mexico and Shiva Thapa of India delivered non-stop action on Saturday in the first round of the 2012 London Olympic boxing tournament.

The 18-year-old Thapa was slick and showed surprising skills, given the Subcontinent’s lack of boxing tradition. He was fairly active, but doesn’t sit down on his punches enough to generate real power. That may work to some degree in the unpaid ranks, but it will cost Thapa if he ever turns pro. Thapa moved a lot early to avoid most of the Mexican’s hardest shots, and managed to make a fair amount of contact

But Valdez is in his second Olympics at age 21 and should be considered one of the favorites in the bantamweight division. He fights like a pro, digging hard shots that turned the Indian’s head and forced him backward. Hard counter punches from Valdez backed Thapa up several times toward the end of the first round. Thapa had nothing to keep him off.[[MORE]]

Thapa stood his ground to start the second and got punished for his courage. Thapa fights like a true amateur, which means his punches glance off his opponent with little effect. Valdez is the opposite, firing shots with very bad intentions. Thapa somehow won the second 4-3 on the judges’ scorecards, but he also showed signs of tiring. Still, only a point separated the two heading into the final round.

The third round started more evenly, with Thapa putting his punches together and landing combinations. The young Indian has talent and may blossom once he comes into his man strength. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened yet. Valdez began walking Thapa down in the second half of the third and unloading flurries that forced the Indian to the ropes. Thapa attempted to retreat and tie up, but his inexperience showed. Valdez forced Thapa back more than once, and the strong finish helped him coast to a 14-9 win on the scorecards.

Thapa should be able to hold his head high, as he gave an admirable effort against a gold medal contender. Thapa could be a threat if he continues to develop before the 2016 games, where he would be only 22 years old. Valdez is at that point now, and looks like he could cause some damage at bantamweight. Even if he doesn’t, his trademark Mexican style could make him a promising professional prospect after the Games conclude.