US fighter Shakur Stevenson will not face Vladimir Nikitin in the semi-final after it was reveled that the Russian boxer has pulled out of the fight.
The Russian fighter was injured after his bantamweight bout with Michael Conlan, which ended in highly controversial circumstances as Nikitin was awarded the win by a unanimous decision.
Reports on Wednesday night suggested that Nikitin would not make the bout as "his face was a mess" according to Russian coaches.
Stevenson took to Twitter on Thursday to share the news that he had his eyes on the gold as Nikitin would not be contesting their semi-final bout.
It's official! @ShakurStevenson is headed to the FINALS after a walkover by Vladimir Nikitin! 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/qSfPp1RcYO
— USA Boxing (@USABoxing) 18 August 2016
Well my opponent pulled out of the fight due to injury, I will be fighting Saturday for the Gold medal. I'm in the finals #1MoreFight ðŸ…
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) 18 August 2016
According to the BBC, a statement from Russian official Igor Kazikov said that "the injury suffered by our boxer Vladimir Nikitin is too serious. Unfortunately, he won't be able to compete in the semi-final."
Despite withdrawing from the fight, Nikitin will still be awarded his bronze medal, as he made it to the semi-final stage.
Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba or Uzbekistan's Murodjon Akhmadaliev await Stevenson in the gold medal fight on Saturday.
Conlan spoke about the possibility that the Russian would pull out on Off the Ball on Wednesday, saying: "I'm still heartbroken. It's done now. I've moved on. I've seen apparently the Russian is probably out of the semi-final because of the damage I've caused him.
"I hope it's not true and I hope he's still in the semi-final but I don't think he deserves to be there anyway."
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