Shields wins Olympic boxing gold for USA

Claressa Shields of the United States become one of the inaugural Olympic women's boxing champions Thursday with a gold medal in the middleweight class. Shields picked up the pace in the second round and eventually recorded a 19-12 decision over Russia's Nadezda Torlopova. Women boxers competed in three weight classes at these Olympics while the men's competition was reduced from 12 to 10 classifications. Shields joined lightweight Katie Taylor of Ireland and flyweight Nicola Adams of Britain in the first group of women Olympic boxing champions. Taylor won her gold medal bout 10-8 over Sofva Ochigava of Russia and Adams defeated top-seeded Ren Cancan of China. Those who lost their semifinal bouts on Wednesday all received bronze medals. Among those was American flyweight Marlen Esparza, who dropped a decision to Ren. The medals won by Shields and Esparza will be the only ones claimed by Americans in boxing at the London Olympics. The U.S. men's team did not advance anyone to the semifinals. There will be semifinal bouts held in all 10 men's weight classes on Friday with championship fights then taking place on Saturday and Sunday.