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Disappointment: India's Krishan Vikas (right) lost to Errol Spence of the US in the men's Welter (69kg) round of 16 boxing match at the London Olympics

THE US men's boxing squad was handed a dramatic lifeline late on Friday (August 3) when a defeat that appeared to condemn the team to their worst result at an Olympic Games was overturned.

The Americans were facing an embarrassing exit after their last two fighters went out of the tournament, making it look like the once-great amateur boxing nation had failed to win a medal for the first time.

Officials, however, later overturned Errol Spence's defeat, meaning the team still have a chance of bettering the solitary bronze they won at Beijing four years ago.

Spence originally lost his second-round welterweight bout to world amateur bronze medallist Krishan Vikas of India 13-11.

After reviewing video footage, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) said in a statement that its competition jury found Spence should have been awarded four additional points for fouls committed by the Indian.

Spence, who told reporters earlier he thought he had won, is now the only US male boxer of an original team of nine, competing across all bar one weight class, to make it beyond the last 16.

If he can win his quarter-final the US will at least equal their performance in Beijing.

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