Uzbek Boxer Dusmatov Defeats U.S. Opponent To Reach Rio Boxing Final

Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan reacts after winning his bout over American Nico Miguel Hernandez.

Uzbek boxer Hasanboy Dusmatov has quashed American Nico Miguel Hernandez's hopes of winning a gold medal at the Rio Olympics with a 3-0 win that vaults Dusmatov into contention for a gold medal.

Dusmatov will face Colombia's Yurberjen Martinez, who defeated 2015 world champion Joahnys Argilagos of Cuba to rise to the light flyweight division's final boxing match.

The defeat of Hernandez by a unanimous decision on August 12 left the U.S. contender with blurred vision and a gash over his left eye that had to be stitched.

It was not a total loss for the American, however, as he is guaranteed a bronze medal, and that will put an end to a medal drought for American boxers that stretches back to 2008.

"We said when we get there, we're going to medal," Hernandez said. "We're finally here."

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters