Although the early success story of USA’s Nico Hernandez has ensured that Team USA will be going home with one boxing medal, the national boxing team has plenty of fighters that can still go for gold.

This will be best seen on Sunday, with the top seed American boxer Shakur Stevenson making his Olympic debut. Stevenson was awarded a bye during the AIBA draw, which is why he was not seen in the earlier round of 32 matches. A win on Sunday gets Stevenson a spot in the quarterfinals, and that much closer to bantamweight gold. Stevenson faces Brazil’s Robenílson Vieira de Jesus in the morning. Teammate Gary Russell will also be featured on Sunday in a matchup with Wuttichai Masuk of Thailand. A win for Russell would also put him in the quarterfinals. 

 
After the losses of Nico Hernandez and Carlos Balderas, the USA still has a number of boxers in competition later this week. Mikaela Mayer made an impressive debut on Friday, easily defeating her opponent in the round of 32. She faces Russia’s Anastasia Belyakova on Monday night. Alongside Mayer, Antonio Vargas will be in competition on Monday, facing Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzebekistan
 
 
Perhaps the most anticipated debut will be that of reigning champion Claressa Shields, the first ever middleweight Olympic gold medalist. Her opponent is still to be determined later this week in a round of 16 matchup. Shields will face the winner on Wednesday, August 17. 
 
 
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