Knockout Punch: Brazil’s Sousa Takes Gold On Spectacular KO
Aug 7, 2021, 4:47 PM
Brazil's Hebert Sousa celebrating after winning against Ukraine's Oleksandr Khyzhniak after their men's middle (69-75kg) boxing final bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. (Photo by Ueslei MARCELINO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by UESLEI MARCELINO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by UESLEI MARCELINO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
TOKYO (AP) — Hebert Sousa decisively lost each of the first two rounds in the Tokyo Olympics men’s middleweight final.
Ukraine’s top-seeded Oleksandr Khyzhniak had battered the Brazilian to the brink of defeat.
When only a knockout could save him, Sousa threw a punch that changed the fight and changed his life.
#BRA's Hebert Sousa's unbelievable display in the third round wins him the gold medal in the men's #Boxing middleweight category!@TimeBrasil pic.twitter.com/KqKxbLOxi0
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 7, 2021
Sousa stopped Khyzhniak with a left hand to the jaw midway through the third round Saturday, stealing a spectacular victory and securing only the second gold medal in Brazil’s entire Olympic boxing history.
After one cinematic moment, Sousa emerged atop the medal podium in what was almost certainly the best weight class in Tokyo.
