Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Shakur Stevenson shines even in defeat, as so few USA Olympic boxers do now

Shakur Stevenson held back most of the tears during his post-fight interview on NBC, but it clearly wasn’t easy for him. Eventually, though, in the moments after losing the Olympic bantamweight boxing gold-medal bout by split decision, the 19-year-old from Newark, N.J., dropped his head onto his still-gloved hands and cried unreservedly.

Asked if he could find any satisfaction in earning a silver medal, Stevenson got out, “No. I don’t like to lose."

MORE: Full medal count

Until Saturday afternoon in Rio de Janeiro, Stevenson never had lost in an international bout, entering the ring at 26-0.