TOKYO, Japan — Editor's note: Video at the top of this story was originally published on July 26, 2021, which was before his second fight in the Tokyo Olympics.
He has done it again! Cleveland boxer Delante "Tiger" Johnson won his second fight in the Tokyo Olympics. His victory in the Welterweight Division came in a split decision 4-1 early Tuesday morning (EST) after defeating Ablaikhan Zhussupov from Kazakhstan in the Round of 16.
Johnson now advances to the quarterfinals (Round of 8) to face Roniel Iglesias of Cuba later this week.
“I definitely appreciate everybody that’s supporting me,” Johnson told 3News on Monday before his second fight. “I feel like that’s something everybody needs. Big shout outs to Cleveland.”
Going into Tuesday’s fight, he said he was warmed up and ready to finish the tournament.
“I’m just taking it day by day,” he said. “Just staying focused, making sure that I’m ready. I’m taking it fight by fight, one round at a time.”
Johnson, 22, won his opening fight at the Tokyo Olympics early Saturday morning (EST), defeating Argentina's Brian Arregui. That victory was a split decision 3-2 with scores of 29-28 on three scoreboards.
"Right after Charles Conwell finished, it was up to me to be the next Olympian," Johnson told 3News before the Olympics began. "World Championships, after that Youth Championships, older guys in that tournament. I was the youngest one and had to compete against guys 30, 31. I won that and made USA Team and elite national team, and it’s been a journey since then."
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published before Johnson competed in the Tokyo Olympics.