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Pro boxer N’Dam ends U.S. hopeful Esquivel’s Olympic dreams

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By The Associated Press

Professional boxer Hassan N’Dam has ended the Olympic hopes of U.S. light heavyweight Jonathan Esquivel with a victory at the final qualifying tournament in Vargas, Venezuela.

N’Dam won a narrow decision Tuesday in his first Olympic-style bout since 2004.

N’Dam is a 32-year-old French-Cameroonian veteran who fought at the Athens Olympics. He briefly held two interim middleweight championship belts during his 11-year pro career.

He is one of just two prominent boxers taking advantage of the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) decision to allow pros to compete for Olympic spots.

The 21-year-old Esquivel won a round on all three judges’ scorecards in the three-round bout, but lost the decision.

The U.S. team in Rio de Janeiro will have six men and two women after four American men failed to qualify.

By The Associated Press