McCormack moves into the medals at Olympics
Pat McCormack guaranteed an Olympic medal with a confident victory over brutal Uzbeki Bobo-Osmon Badurov.
The Birtley star is wearing a golden mouthguard for his bouts at the Kokugikan Arena, the spiritual home of sumo wrestling, so there can be no doubt of his intentions in Tokyo.
The26-year-oldmadethem clear for a third time in the ring and withstood Badurov, who led with his head in the final round, to guarantee Team GB' s second boxing medal.
"It's unbelievable," said McCormack. "It's something I've always dreamed of, to get a medal at the Olympics.
"But now's the time to change the colour. Gold is the dream and then I've completedamateur boxing. I' m getting better in each fight, I'm warming into the tournament."
Three of five judges gave McCormack a first round that he dictated and he landed two devastating right-handers in the second round, which was given to him by all five adjudicators. The third round was more akin to the wrestling matches that the Arena is used to hosting, with Badurov leading with his head and a clash of heads saw McCormack draw blood for the second fight in succession.
Ireland's Aidan Walsh awaits in tomorrow's semi-finals.
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