Now the U.S. men's team is done.
There will be no protest over Tuesday's verdict, which saw Russia's Andrey Zamkovoy advance to the semifinals with a 16-11 win over Errol Spence.
The loss serves as a mark of infamy for the United States, fielding the first-ever men's team to not secure a single medal in Olympic boxing competition.
Nervous energy was evident as action began, as Spence couldn't establish a rhythm. Zmkovoy knew were to be during every exchange, when to punch, when to cover up and when to tie up.
Falling behind after one, Spence was urged by his corner to score big without providing a still target. The Dallas native tried his best to oblige, holding his own for the first half of the round. It wasn't enough, as Spence was caught with one shot too many while thinking too long before letting his hands go.
A late rally was needed if the American was to pull out a miracle. That moment never came, nor was there a sense of urgency evident in the ring as Zamkovoy just proved too be too much on this particular evening, and perhaps in general.
Spence considered it his obligation to carry the United States on his back as the last American male boxer standing. The 22-year old was given t he mother of all second chances when the AIBA overturned his horrifically officiated bout with Krishan Vikas of India late last week. The original verdict meant the U.S. men's team denied a single boxing medal for the first time in its history in the Olympics, but a review of the tape resulted in a successful appeal.
