Spence tasked with saving US from boxing shutout

The American boxer must beat Russia's Andrey Zamkovoy in the quarterfinal to avoid first boxing shutout for the US

I / London August 07, 2012, 14:40 IST

The British boxers already know they're amassing a big medal collection at their home Olympics. Errol Spence is the only one, who can prevent the American men from leaving London empty-handed.

Spence must beat Russia's Andrey Zamkovoy to avoid the first medal shutout of the US Men's boxing team in Olympic history when they meet tonight in a quarterfinal welterweight bout.

Spence thought he was out of the Olympics for a few hours after he fought India's Vikas Krishan last week, but amateur boxing's governing body overturned the result on an accumulation of uncalled holding fouls.

The Americans have easily won the most boxing medals in Olympic history, but their two-decade decline could culminate in no medals at all in London unless Spence comes through.

And though the British boxers must wait a few days to add their medals to the home team's Olympic haul, they're lining up for big weekend bouts and even bigger celebrations.

Middleweight Anthony Ogogo and super heavyweight Anthony Joshua both clinched medals in quarterfinal bouts Monday night, guaranteeing Britain will win at least four Olympic medals in front of its frenzied home fans.

Flyweight Andrey Selby and welterweight Freddie Evans could join them tonight with victories.

Selby faces Cuba's Robeisy Ramirez, and Evans will try to stop Custio Clayton from securing Canada's first Olympic boxing medal since 1996.

Ogogo jumped ahead early in a 15-10 victory over Germany's Stefan Haertel, and Joshua knocked down China's Zhang Zhilei during a 15-11 win in the session's final bout.

Although two of the three British women lost their quarterfinals earlier in the day, flyweight Nicola Adams also earned a medal, and captain Tom Stalker could clinch his own medal.