Youth Olympic Games

(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – The United States’ lone Youth Olympic Games competitor, heavyweight Joshua Temple (St. Louis, Mo.) lost his opening bout of the tournament to reigning Youth World Champion Lenier Eunice Pero of Cuba on the first day of boxing competition in Singapore. Pero won a stoppage victory over Temple on Saturday evening at the International Convention Centre.

Temple followed his game plan in the early going, recording the first scoring blow of the contest. “My strategy was to go at him,” Temple said. “I wasn’t going to wait.”

Yet Pero quickly answered, scoring the next five points. The American boxer received two standing eight counts to the surprise and dismay of both he and his coach, Ray Barone. “I didn’t really get hit. I wasn’t dazed or anything,” Temple said. “I can’t get mad at the referee, but I feel some of the calls were unjust, but that’s a part of boxing.”

Despite objections by both Temple and Barone, the referee called a halt to the bout at the end of the second eight count with Pero holding only a 5-1 advantage. “Usually they let you box and they don’t interrupt, but today was different,” Temple said.

Barone agreed with his boxer’s assessment of the bout and the referee’s involvement. “I thought they stopped it too soon. I didn’t think he was hurt,” Barone said. “I don’t know what the first eight count was for. The second eight count, he (Pero) hit him (Temple) behind the head and pulled him and knocked him off balance. If I pull anyone’s head they’re going to get knocked off balance. I mean, he wasn’t hurt. He wasn’t dazed.”

Despite the tough loss, Temple wasn’t discouraged and remains focused on his goals in boxing. “This isn’t going to stop me at all. It makes me feel more pride that I get to represent my country,” he said.

In the only bout of the day, August 23rd, Temple boxed-off against Ivanov Alexander (Russia) for 5th and 6th place.  Temple was stopped in the first round and finished 6th at the first Youth Olympic Games.

U.S. Result

Watch First  Youth Olympic Games LIVE here!

Check out the results for boxing here!