Lewis Richardson Claims Olympic Bronze in Boxing at Paris 2024

Lewis Richardson, Team GB’s last-standing boxer at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will return home with a hard-earned bronze medal after a heartbreaking semi-final defeat. The middleweight fighter was edged out by Mexico's Marco Verde in a closely contested bout that ended in a split decision.

Richardson entered the semi-final with confidence, having fought his way through the earlier rounds with determination and skill. The match against Verde was intense, with Richardson looking strong throughout. By the end of the second round, he was ahead on two judges' scorecards, tied on two others, and trailing on one. However, the final round saw all five judges score in favour of Verde, handing the Mexican a 3-2 victory and a spot in the final.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on a place in the final, Richardson’s performance throughout the tournament was commendable. He was the only British boxer to advance past the opening round, outlasting his teammates Delicious Orie, Rosie Eccles, Pat Brown, and Chantelle Reid, all of whom were eliminated early.

Richardson's journey to the Olympic podium has been marked by resilience and determination. Initially taking up boxing to improve his football fitness, Richardson eventually committed to the sport, even dropping down a weight class after his preferred category was removed from the Olympic program.

His path to Paris was not straightforward. After narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, Richardson faced a challenging year of injuries that kept him out of the ring. At times, he considered giving up on his Olympic dream. Yet, he persevered and ultimately secured his place in Paris, where he earned his first Olympic medal.

Richardson’s bronze medal is a significant achievement, marking him as one of Britain’s top boxing talents. While the loss in the semi-final was a tough pill to swallow, his Olympic success will undoubtedly fuel his future ambitions in the sport.