Boxing: U.S. handed lifeline after defeat overturned

By Padraic Halpin

LONDON (Reuters) - The United States men's boxing squad were handed a dramatic lifeline late on Friday when a defeat that appeared to condemn the team to their worst result at an Olympic Games was overturned.

The Americans were facing an embarrassing exit after their last two fighters went out of the tournament, making it look like the once-great amateur boxing nation had failed to win a medal for the first time.

Officials, however, later overturned Errol Spence's defeat, meaning the team still have a chance of bettering the solitary bronze they won at Beijing four years ago.

Spence originally lost his second-round welterweight bout to world amateur bronze medalist Krishan Vikas of India 13-11.

After reviewing video footage, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) said in a statement that its competition jury found Spence should have been awarded four additional points for fouls committed by the Indian.

Spence, who told reporters earlier he thought he had won, is now the only U.S. male boxer of an original team of nine, competing across all bar one weight class, to make it beyond the last 16.

If he can win his quarter-final the U.S. will at least equal their performance in Beijing, deemed a calamity for the country that has captured a record 48 Olympic boxing golds won by the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Sugar Ray Leonard.

As both losing semi-finalists get a bronze, Spence would be guaranteed a place on the podium with victory over Andrey Zamkovoy of Russia.