Olympic Boxing: U.S. Heavyweight Michael Hunter Bows Out
by Gautham Nagesh
American heavyweight Michael Hunter lost a close, ugly fight to Artur Beterbiev of Russia in the second round of the Olympic boxing tournament on Wednesday.
Hunter is the son of former professional heavyweight boxer Michael “The Bounty” Hunter, a fringe contender in the 90s who was beset by drugs and problems with the law. He met a tragic end in 2006 after being shot by police during a drug raid in Los Angeles. His son looked loose and confident as the boxers entered to Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” and began the fight by landing several straight right hands from the outside. Hunter’s speed and boxing ability were quickly apparent; he has the kind of tools and pedigree that make pro trainers salivate.
Unfortunately, he was in tough against the experienced Beterbiev, who didn’t appear troubled by the American’s power. Beterbiev took the worst of it in the first round, but never seemed less than dangerous. He appeared to be getting the better of the action in the second, landing a few straight shots with either hand and bloodying Hunter’s nose. But the fight also featured plenty of grappling, much of it initiated by the American. Neither man landed anything significant and Hunter clung to a one-point lead heading into the third round.[[MORE]]
The two continued holding in the third, until a momentary stoppage finally woke Hunter up and he threw a few combinations to close the fight. Still, the Russian appeared to get the best of the final stanza. After a brief delay, the score announced was even: 10-10. Beterbiev won on countback, meaning all five judges’ cards were then tallied, with the win going to the higher overall score. It is a strange rule and one that should no doubt be reviewed before the next Games.
Hunter may not come home with the gold, but better things are ahead for him. Fighting at the amateur equivalent of the professional cruiserweight division, he seemed fit and mobile. At 24 he’s probably done growing, but he does appear to have a heavyweight’s frame. His power and ability to take a punch remain a question, but at the least he should make a fine cruiserweight prospect with good potential. We can’t wait to see what he can do in the paid ranks.
Beterbiev similarly shows promise, but he’s in tough in the next round against Ukrainian gold medal favorite Usyk Oleksandr. The winner of that fight will have the inside line at the gold medal at heavyweight. We wouldn’t be against the Ukraine, given their current dominance of the heavyweight ranks.