Boxing tips for the Olympics: Five promising fighters from around the world

Arlen Lopez, Cuba

Cuba, as always, are a force to be reckoned with at the Games and possess another roster of extremely talented fighters capable of securing medals on Brazilian soil this summer.

In the middleweight division, 23-year-old Lopez stands out as a potential star for his nation, with the slick and powerful challenger entering proceedings as arguably the best 75kgs in the world.

After an abundance of honours before taking to Rio, Lopez will take to the ring with plenty of confidence and is the 9/4 favourite to pip the likes of Britain’s Anthony Fowler and Uzbekistan’s Bektemir Melikuziev to Gold.

Shakur Stevenson, USA

The USA haven’t produced an Olympic Gold medallist since 2004, when former super-middleweight kingpin Andre Ward prevailed in Greece, but in Stevenson their hopes of ending that run are boosted significantly.

Although, the hugely talented 19-year-old faces a tough test at 56kg, with the bantamweight division set to be one of the most competitive, as it also features massive Irish favourite Michael Conlan and Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez.

Teenage prospect Stevenson enters at 11/4 to win his weight class, having won the Senior US Olympic Trials last year to book his spot in Rio, as well as emerging victorious at the 2014 Youth Games.

Robson Conceicao, Brazil

The men’s lightweight division also possesses a wealth of talent, and Brazilian medal hopeful Conceicao will look to clinch glory in his own backyard, which he is 12/1 to achieve this summer.

At 60kg, Conceicao will be competing in a division which features two of only three professional fighters at the Games following the new rules which allowed them to enter, with the pair being Thailand’s Amnat Ruenroeng and Italian Carmine Tommasone.

At 27 years of age, Brazil’s lightweight hope boasts plenty of experience and an impressive background, having won a Silver and Bronze medal at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships respectively.

He also competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and lost a close decision to current WBO super-featherweight Vasyl Lomachenko at the 2011 World Championships.

Yana Alekseevna, Azerbaijan

Over to the women now and in the lightweight division which is headlined by Ireland’s Olympic queen Katie Taylor, Alekseevna of Azerbaijan could yet spring a surprise, having beaten the Emerald Isle front runner earlier this year.

Rising Azeri star Alekseevna banished any aura of invincibility previously surrounding Taylor in April, as she handed the five-time world champion her first loss since 2011 and she is 9/2 to win Gold this summer.

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