Teremoana loses 2024 Paris Olympic Games bout to Bakhodir Jalolov

It was one of the bouts of the Paris Olympics. Aussie super heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana Jnr had hopes of gold but is going home empty-handed after a spiteful loss to the defending champ.

Teremoana Teremoana Jnr has slammed Bakhodir Jalolov for “running like a cat” after Australia’s super heavyweight sensation suffered a controversial loss to the reigning gold medallist on Friday night.

The quarter-final blockbuster started with fireworks when a fired-up Teremoana Jnr sledged the Uzbekistan champion by declaring “your time is up” before a punch was thrown in anger at North Paris Arena.

But 201cm giant Jalolov served up humble pie to claim a unanimous points victory, surge into the semi-finals and send the 120kg man mountain home to Brisbane without a medal.

Australian super heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana (right) lands a body shot on Bakhodir Jalolov from Uzbekistan. Picture: Adam Head

If anyone was capable of dethroning the Tokyo super heavyweight king, it was Teremoana Jnr. Their showdown was worthy of an Olympic final.

Buoyed by his savage 169-second knockout in his first bout, Teremoana came out all guns blazing and appeared to win the first round, landing more punches, but four of the five judges gave the nod to Jalolov.

At one point of the opener, Jalolov was back pedalling at speed, but he took control in the second round, deploying patience, precision and a lethal left hand to shatter Teremoana’s gold-medal dream.

Teremoana Jnr, a mad NSW Origin fan who idolised Blues legend Paul Gallen, stopped short of saying he was robbed but accused his rival of running scared.

“He was a bit stupid if anyone wants to stand there in front of me,” Teremoana Jnr said.

“Good on him for having a good plan and running like a cat, but that’s boxing I guess.”

Asked if he won the fight, Teremoana Jnr said: “Yes.

Jalolov was accused of running like a cat in the first round. Picture: Adam Head

“I said (as they faced off), ‘Your time is up’. That’s the first time I haven’t backed up my word.

“I thought I won the first and third rounds ... I don’t know what the judges are watching to be honest.”

Across the nine minutes, Jalolov was the better fighter. His shot selection was superior, while a tiring Teremoana Jnr swung wildly in a desperate bid to land a knockout blow.

Australian head coach Santiago Nieva was left seething at poor first-round judging.

“He (Jalolov) didn’t throw any punches, how can he win the first round? Based on what?” Nieva fired.

“The last round we lost, so I don’t want to say he was (robbed).”

Jalolov held his nerve to send the brave Aussie home empty handed. Picture: Adam Head

Despite the loss, Teremoana made history. The 26-year-old became the first super heavyweight in Australian boxing’s 100-year Olympic history to win a bout.

He isn’t sure if he will shoot for Los Angeles in 2028, but hopes to one day exact revenge on Jalolov as a pro.

“I still believe I’m the best in the world,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it’s not my day, it’s his, well done to Uzbekistan and I will meet him in the pros eventually.

“He got the upper hand, but not for too long.”

Originally published as Teremoana loses 2024 Paris Olympic Games bout to Bakhodir Jalolov