IRELAND’S JACK MARLEY has suffered a split decision defeat in his heavyweight quarter-final bout at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Tajikistan’s Davlat Boltaev won 4-1 on the judge’s scorecard.
The winner was guaranteed at least a bronze medal by progressing to the semi-finals in Paris, and Marley fell short after a gallant effort against the elusive Asian champion.
“A bitter pill to swallow,” 21-year-old Marley told RTÉ as he bowed out of his first Olympics.
“I misheard the corners. I thought I was up in the first, down in the second and I thought it was all level going into the last — and I thought I done enough there to win it.
“We won’t moan about it. It is what it is, it’s a privilege to be here on this top international stage. I’m 21 years of age, I have to pinch myself to remind me. It’s gonna be a hard one to swallow over the next few days, but… I left it all in there.”
'We won't moan about it. It's a privilege to be here on this top international stage at 21 years of age' - Jack Marley speaks after his quarter-final exit at the hands of Davlat Boltaev#RTESport #Paris2024
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 1, 2024
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Marley bounced out to the North Paris Arena, with an Irish roar behind him.
The Dubliner made a decent start, Olé olé soon ringing out. He landed two of three quick-fire left hooks at one stage, but Boltaev was more clinical as he moved through the gears.
As Marley went for the jugular, he left himself exposed and the Tajikistan capitalised.
Boltaev won the first two rounds 4-1, as per the judge’s cards.
In the second, Marley continued to work extremely hard but the number of shots not connected ultimately outweighed those landed. His flow was interrupted by a stoppage owing to a cut over his right eye with 45 seconds to go. The RTÉ commentary team said the referee said it was a punch, but it appeared to be a clash of heads.
Marley made a good start to the final round, but Boltaev again showed his class as he proved elusive. The Sallynoggin man gave it everything, and the judge’s cards were 3-2 in his favour for round three.
Ultimately, it ended in disappointment following his round-of-16 win over Poland’s Mateusz Bereznick.
“It feels a bit weird,” Marley added on becoming an Olympian, though he wouldn’t be drawn on plans for LA 2026.
“I wasn’t overwhelmed. I probably built it up a bit too much in my head because I qualified a year before, so I had plenty of time to be imagining it. I really adapted well, enjoyed it, and losing to the Asian champion on such tight margins, it is what it is.”
Could as easily play on Senior team and not look out of place…a serious talent!
@Michael Murray: is gleeson or mcnabney just as good
@Michael Murray: a serious talent. It’s been a long time since England have a talent that I can’t stand, that’s how good he is!
@Niall Boyle: Ha!….yeah!!
@Gary Galligan: ….no….Pollock would walk straight onto any Irish Provincial side bar Leinster and would give JVDF a run for his money.
@Michael Murray: Absolutely. Could easily make a senior squad. The underage talent in the English game is frightening. Only France on a par. It’s a 2 horse race between the 2.
@Ray Ridge: ireland could have had a serious pack of usanov, walker, Smyth, spicer, corrigan, foy, Mccarthy, Murphy, which would have been very competitive v England & france
@munsterman: Not convinced by this spicer. Big man, yes, but out on his feet after 15 minutes blowing hard. If he can get in shape and work on his fitness and be more aggressive, then maybe.
@Ray Ridge: I saw him for leinster A and he was outstanding. He’s huge so he’s not going to be that agile or mobile. But in the scrum, maul and tight defence & carrying, he’s very very good. Decent passer too. I think leinster are gonna fast-track the guy
@munsterman: Well, he must have spent the past year working on his aerobic fitness. For he was panting like a dog after 15 minutes in the Under 20 championship last year.
@Ray Ridge: yea he looked lacking in conditioning then. We still missed him whenever he wasn’t on the field though. I’d imagine he’s well conditioned now though being in the academy. It’s hard to replace a 6’10, 135kg monster. Add to that a 6’5, 120kg no8 and a very very highly rated tighthead
@munsterman: who is the no 8 ur talking about? Also is niall Smyth (I assume that’s the tighthead) out for the tournament?
@scott casey: luke Murphy, started last yr when gleeson was out. I dunno how bad those 3 are injured. With a bit of luck they’ll all be back for the wc at least cos this is potentially a very talented u20 group
@Gary Galligan: First impressions are that this fella is gonna be busy. He’s very entertaining. Some generation this one coming through..
@munsterman: Really hope we get props from this years u20s that can kick on over the next few years. Casper Gabriel might be another player who might make the world cup if he gets his residency sorted. Could make for a very interesting u20 world cup campaign
@Ray Ridge: I’d put us with those two. Per budget, we’re getting the most bang. I’d say physically we’re up against it, but we’re the ones producing most full internationals from u20 imo. I’ll go look at stats…
@Michael Murray: He definitely wouldn’t. JVDF is the best in the world and is a master in that position. Pollock has had a good breakthrough season but often finds himself running sideways and holding onto the ball unnecessarily in crucial moments against average opposition. He’s a bit reckless and does the flashy stuff off the back of his teammates hard work. Brian Gleeson was similar when he played u20s, brilliant and obviously ones to watch out for but it’s an entirely different beast when you go up to professional level as Gleeson is finding out. It’s not as easy.
@scott casey: usanov is very promising. Emmett calvey too but he’s unfortunately injured aswell. And Smyth is very highly rated, went straight into the leinster academy from school which is pretty rare
@Harry O’ Callaghan: gleeson injured his shoulder with the u20s last summer and is only back a few weeks. From what I’ve seen he’s making the step up pretty easily & since he’s been back has featured in pretty much every munster 23
@munsterman: He went straight onto a senior deal as other provinces were sniffing about. Issue with that is the hype just grows. He ideally should be doing sub academy like any 18 yeat old kid, and learning how to lock a scrum. Big, big talent though. A shame he’s injured.
@Ray Ridge: Well your comment just shows that you haven’t seen Spicer since last year and are ignorantly unaware of the long term plans being taken with him. They have him in S&C now, they didn’t last year due to his size, age and joint considerations. Ireland does not produce fellas of his height and bulk so Leinster and Ireland are taking a very long term planning view with his development. He probably won’t reach peak physical condition until at least 2 years. But of course that won’t cross your mind, and you’d prefer to just throw shade at a 19 year old kid. Grow up man.
@Carmine Lorenzo: yea it’s a shame. I’ve only seen a bit of him playing in a Blackrock game last yr that was on Premier I think. He looked a big unit. I don’t think jackman coming out and saying he’ll be the new furlong will do the lad any favours, let the young fella develop away
@Carmine Lorenzo: No I haven’t seen him since last year. Can’t see everyone. Yes my comment was based on last year. Glad to hear he’s bit fitter. However, I’ll be the judge of that when and if we see him in the under 20 championships.
@scott casey: World Rugby have already decided that his residency had to commence again when he returned from Austria during COVID. I am not sure when that is but I would imagine he didn’t bother returning until school returned, which was September 2020 which make him intelligible until next years 6N.
@Ray Ridge: No, you won’t be the judge of that actually. You need to up your rugby IQ and watch more games baby.
The 6 has ten starts for Racing 92 this season and will be heading back to England in the next year or two.
Serious English pack. It’s a shame ireland are missing 3 of its biggest forwards in niall Smyth, Alan spicer and luke Murphy through injury. We’ll still have some very good forwards but might be a bit lightweight relatively for this one
@munsterman: on a 3g pitch, being lightweight might work to our advantage as long as we’re tidy in possession…
@Sea Point: yea we’re gonna have to be very slick and defensively sound. Disciplined too, any cheap pens & they’ll kick into our 22 & maul us to death
@Sea Point: And avoid scrums.
Google tells me that Kryan Bracken does have a son called Jack. He’d be Irish eligible as his auld fella was born in Dublin.
@Ciaran Kennedy: Kyran has 2 sons and this Jack is one of them. Charlie is a little older (21) and plays scrum half – also for Saracens. It would be a great way to make up for the snub the IRFU gave Kyran at the beginning of his career as Ireland was always his first choice.
Gleeson is an exceptional back row prospect, at least as high a ceiling as pollack
Could of easily been in the Scottish squad as well
Sensational player