Omari Jones wins bronze at Olympics, only American boxer to medal

PARIS – It’ll be easy to keep track of the U.S. boxing team’s medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics . There will be just one. A bronze belonging to U.S. boxer Omari Jones.

Jones, 21, sought gold but squandered that chance Tuesday night, losing to Uzbekistan’s Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev in the semifinals of the men’s welterweight division. He lost on points by split decision, 3-2.

Jake Paul, an honorary coach for Team USA, took exception to the judges’ decision.

“Absolute robbery,’’ Paul wrote on his X account. ‘Omari Jones won every round of that fight with ease.”

The most memorable punch was the one Muydinkhujaev landed in the second round that sent Jones’ mouthpiece flying.

The mouthpiece was recovered. No such luck for Jones’ gold-medal hopes.

Although Jones was more aggressive in the third round, Muydinkhujaev was elusive and active enough to protect his lead on the judges' scorecards.

It was a disappointing showing for the U.S. boxing team, which once dominated the Olympics with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya.

The Americans’ struggles are symbolized by a drought: The last U.S. male boxer to win a Olympic gold was Andre Ward in 2004. Claressa Shields was the last U.S. woman boxer to win golds, in 2012 and 2016.

This year, Jahmal Harvey was thought to have the best chance to end the men’s team drought. But Jones is the only boxer who even reached the semifinals, securing a bronze.

In Olympic boxing, bronze medals are awarded to the losing semifinalists as part of the single-elimination format of the competition.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Omari Jones wins bronze at Olympics, only American boxer to medal