Tokyo Olympics: Ben Whittaker and Pat McCormack wins secure boxing medals
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Tokyo Olympics: GB's McCormack guaranteed medal after reaching semis
Tokyo Olympic Games on the BBC |
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Dates: 23 July-8 August Time in Tokyo: BST +8 |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button and online; Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and Sounds; live text and video clips on BBC Sport website and app. |
Great Britain's Ben Whittaker and Pat McCormack are both guaranteed Olympic medals after winning their respective quarter-final fights on Friday.
Whittaker edged a 3-2 split decision win against Brazil's Keno Machado to reach the light-heavyweight last four.
McCormack, meanwhile, beat Uzbekistan's Bobo Baturov via a 4-1 split decision to reach the welterweight semi-final, where he faces Ireland's Aidan Walsh.
It means both Britons will leave Tokyo with at least a bronze medal.
There could be more medals in boxing for Britain, with Caroline Dubois one win away from securing one of them after a split-decision win against USA's Rashida Ellis to reach the women's lightweight quarter-finals.
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Whittaker, from West Bromwich, will return to the ring on Sunday to fight for a place in the gold medal round.
GB's Whittaker ensures medal after reaching semi-finals
"It was difficult, you never want to look too far ahead but I can't help myself," Whittaker told BBC Sport.
"The people on my side of the draw are big swingers - I'm a confident, arrogant lad but I won't lie - when I came out my belly was doing flips, my legs were gone, but as soon as the bell went it went away.
"It doesn't matter if it was split or unanimous - a win's a win."
Whittaker now has his sights set on returning home with an Olympic title, adding: "I want to come back with the gold medal and become the mayor of Wolverhampton and call all the shots."
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