Olympics: Men's 80kg Boxing Betting Preview

Oleksandr Khyzhniak is hoping to secure Olympic gold at the second time of asking at 80kg in Paris. 

Odds Now run you through the key contenders at light-heavyweight ahead of the Games this summer. 

Oleksandr Khyzhniak (Evens)

It's easy to see why Ukraine's Oleksandr Khyzhniak is a firm favourite to secure gold at 80kg at Paris 2024. 

Khyzhniak came agonisingly close to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, reaching the final before he was knocked out by Brazil's Hebert Sousa at 75kg. 

The Ukrianian was therefore forced to settle for silver but is strongly backed to go one better this time around at light-heavyweight.

Khyzhniak won gold at the 2017 World Championships in Hamburg and is also a two-time European Games champion, coming out on top in both the 2019 and 2023 iterations.

Alongside a gold at the 2017 European Championships in Kharkiv, Khyzhniak's glittering amateur career has been laiden with gold - a theme the bookies back to continue in the French capital this summer. 

Sky Bet offer him at Evens to secure top spot on the podium. 

Above: Khyzhniak poses with his silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. (Photo Credit: Alamy Images)

Arlen Lopez (16/5)

Cuba are a nation steeped in amateur boxing history and will be hoping light-heavyweight Arlen Lopez can make it a hat-trick of gold medals in Paris this summer. 

Lopez won gold at both the 2016 and 2020 Games. His first spot on the podium came at middleweight before moving up to light-heavyweight in Tokyo three years ago, where he ousted Team GB's Ben Whittaker in the final. 

Like Khyzhniak, the 31-year-old boasts a remarkable medal collection in the vested code. Not only did Lopez win gold at the 2015 World Championships but has also won three gold medals at Pan American Games, most recently coming out on top in Santiago, Chile last year. 

The Cuban also turned professional in May 2022, winning all three of his pro bouts so far. 

His attention has turned back to the Games in the French capital but, despite his resume at amateur level, Lopez is a comfortable second favourite courtesy of the exploits of his Ukrainian counterpart, Khyzhniak. 

Above: Lopez already boasts two Olympic gold medals and also came out on top at the 2023 Pan American Games. (Photo Credit: Alamy Images)

Nurbek Oralbay (7/1)

Reigning world champion Nurbek Oralbay comes in as a 7/1 outsider ahead of Paris 2024.

The Kazakh fighter secured gold in Tashkent last year, winning a split-decision in the final in his first ever World Championships. 

His brother Aibek will also be competing at the Games this summer, making the Oralbay brothers the first twins to compete in boxing at the same Olympics. 

However, while a spot on the podium isn't out of the question for Nurbek, winning gold appears unlikely given the strength of the fighters above him. 

Above: Oralbay celebrates winning gold at the 2023 World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (Photo Credit: Alamy Images)

OddsNow's Best Bet for the 80kg Division

Oleksandr Khyzhniak to win Gold @ Evens (Sky Bet)