Iran’s boxer Rouzbahani advances into Olympics last 16

TEHRAN,Aug. 1(MNA)--Iran’s Rouzbahani defeated Colombia's Jeysson Monroy and advanced into the last 16 of the Olympic light-heavyweight tournament. The first round ended with the Colombian taking a one-point advantage, which Rouzbahani sought to rectify early in the second. The Iranian stepped up a gear, producing a tremendous straight right that stopped Monroy dead in his tracks. A high scoring round ended level on 8-8, meaning that the scores were level heading into the last. Rouzbahani connected with two decent right hands in the dying seconds, impressing the judges enough to earn a 12-10 verdict. “It was a very difficult fight since I didn’t know my Colombian rival. It was the first time I faced him. I was under pressure due to the atmosphere of the match at the first round,” the 24-year-old said. “I have a very tough match against a boxer from Turkey in the last 16. I’ll do my best to beat the professional opponent. I’ve promised to win medal and I try hard to accomplish that,” Rouzbahani added. Rouzbahani will fight Bahram Muzaffer from Turkey on Saturday.