The 12th day of Olympic boxing was once again a brilliant day on the exceptional stage of Roland Garros. The semi-finals were fought first and the two gold medal finals were left to the end. Hasangboy Dusmatov became world champion in the men's -51kg category. Chang Yuan also won Olympic gold in the women's -4kg category.

The first fight for gold was between Billal Bennama (France) and Hasangbay Dusmatov (Uzbekistan). It was France's last chance to win gold at Paris 2024. Bennama was the 2023 World Championship runner-up. Dusmatov was the reigning World Champion. The difference in height was remarkable. Dusmatov planned a daring fight, but Bennama opted for distance and keeping pace with his left jab.

Roland Garros was on fire, his boxer in his arms. Bennama's height gave him an advantage. Total equality in the first round. Dusmatov, the Rio 2016 gold medallist, took a step forward and began to mix up his punches. He combined the hook and the jab perfectly. The fight was very close until the last round and Bennama needed Dusmatov not to get away in the last round. 

The Uzbek showed more speed and convinced the judges. After losing the final to Sophiane Oumiha last Wednesday, France lost another Olympic final to Bennama. Their chances of winning a gold medal at their first Olympic Games are now over. Dusmatov repeated his Olympic gold medal from Rio 2016.

The other gold medal final of the day was between Chang Yuan (China) and Hatice Akbas (Turkey) in the 54kg category. The Turkish woman provided the quality and the distance. She fought the way she wanted to. However, the Chinese girl landed more punches and gave her the victory in the first round. That set the tone and Akbas had to change the fight. Yuan measured her efforts well and took the centre of the ring. The Turkish fighter saw the final slipping away from her. 

She was surprised by the Chinese fighter's speed and ambition. In the second round, Akbas lost her confidence and Yuan's speed, changing her pace to cool the fight and step forward when it suited her. The fight was going the way of the Chinese and only a win before the limit would give the Turkish woman the victory. She did not get it. Yuan was better and won the gold. Yuan Chang delivered and took the Olympic throne in the 54 kg category.

In the first semi-final of the men's 57 kg Khalokov led from the beginning. Impossible to correct. The Australian tried to surprise with high punches, but the Uzbek was a master of distance. Kahlolov was the favourite. And he proved it in all areas. Kahlokov reached the final with a perfect contest, except for the fight against Spaniard Jose Quiles, where there was one round in which the brave Spaniard gave him trouble.

Charlei Senior, aged 22, secured the bronze medal but was unable to overcome a boxer who changed pace, went the distance and, despite his bravery, was unable to fight a master of attack and defence. The men's -57kg semi-final was clearly dominated by the Uzbek. He decided to go the distance in the final round, even though he had already won the fight on points.

Kahlokov fulfilled the predictions and reached the Olympic final, bringing further joy to Uzbekistan, a country that is still a power and is proving it at these Games. Uzbekistan has made a commitment from the grassroots to high performance and it shows in boxing.

Murnarbek Seiitbek Uulu (KGZ) faced Javier Ibanez (Bulgaria) in the other semi-final of the men's -57kg category. The Cuban-born Bulgarian tried to get into his rhythm, but Seiitbek Uulu was able to escape Ibanez's onslaught. He took the Bulgarian's time and made him hesitate. The crowd appreciated the pace and intensity of both boxers. 

The first round was very evenly matched. Perhaps Seiitbek Uulu was better with his left hand and came out with his direct and very accurate hook. Ibanez took advantage of the second round, Seiitbek Uulu defended perfectly, using his waist very well, looking for his opponent's mistake and knowing how to move backwards looking for the counter to score points.

Seiitbek Uulu took advantage and Ibanez came out for everything in the third round. He took risks. Ibanez was much braver and more active. Seiitbek Uulu followed his corner and was passive, defending himself and preventing the Bulgarian from hitting him. However, the judges gave the victory to Seiitbek Uulu by split decision. Seiitbek Uulu was unable to fight in the world final due to injury against Khalokov, but now he has the chance for revenge. The 57kg final will be between Kahlokov and Seiitbek Uulu.

The semi-finals of the women's -75kg category had arrived. They were pitted against Li Quian (China) and Caitlin Parker (Australia), the 2023 world runner-up. The Chinese athlete is competing in her third Olympic Games after winning bronze in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020. Li Quian was always more active and always in front. Parker, who had more power, had to find an extra gear to keep up with the pace of the punches.

The first round was a surprise and the judges gave Parker the unanimous decision to win. The Chinese woman's trainer, Raul Fernandez, was a Cuban globetrotter and boxing expert. He asked his fighter to take it to the next level. The judges made a complete change and gave the Chinese a unanimous decision in the second round, making the third round decisive. The Chinese kept her confidence and dominated the third round, with Parker looking for a saving grace, but she was unable to find it. Li Qian was the better player and took the win.

The other semi-final pitted Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba (EOR) against Atheyna Bibeichi (Pan). Two very different styles. The Cameroonian is the first athlete from the refugee team to win an Olympic medal. She has lived in Britain since she was eleven and has won three times in England. In front of her is the 35-year-old Panamanian. She won the 2014 World Championships ten years ago and was Panama's flag bearer at the Tokyo Games. A very charismatic woman. 

Bylon tried to make the most of her height and wingspan, while Ngamba had more pace. The Cameroonian increased her shot rate, but Bylon tried to anticipate and improve her accuracy. Ngamba's corner asked her to move closer as Bylon dominated with her long and effective left jab.

Ngamba did not lose his desire and will and continued to throw a lot of punches to make the judges appreciate his boldness. The third round was again crucial. The Panamanian legend, the first female Olympic boxer, was penalised a point by the Bulgarian referee. It was a very controversial decision. The final victory went to Bylon. A pioneer of boxing in her country, she had made it to the final. Bylon will face China's Li Qian for the gold medal in the 75kg category.

Results of the day. 8 August.

Semi-finals. Men. 57 kg

Abdoulamik Khalokov (Uzbekistan) Charlei Senior (Australia) 5-0. Bronze for Charlei Senior.

Murnarbek Seiitbek Uulu (KGZ) Javier Ibanez (Bulgaria) 4-1. Bronze for Javier Ibanez.

Semifinals. Women. 75 kg

Li Qian (China) Caitlin Parker (Australia) 5-0. Bronze for Caitlin Parker,

Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba (EOR) Atheyna Bibeichi Bylon (Pan) 1-4. Bronze to Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba.

Final. Men 51 Kg

Billal Bennama (France) Hasangbay Dusmatov (Uzbekistan) 0-5

Gold: Hasangboy Dusmatov Silver: Billal Bennama

Final. Women 54 kg

Chang Yuan (China) Hatice Akbas (Turkey) 5-0

Gold: Chang Yuan Silver: Billal Bennaama