Savannah Marshall suffers more Olympic heartbreak with quarter-final defeat to Nouchka Fontijn

Savannah Marshall has narrowly missed out on securing Team GB's fourth boxing medal at Rio 2016 after being defeated by Nouchka Fontijn in her women's 75kg middleweight quarter-final clash. The Hartlepool fighter, winner of Britain's first female boxing world title four years ago, was constantly on the front foot against her Dutch opponent but ultimately lost a close split decision that could legitimately have gone either way.

It is yet more Olympic heartbreak for Commonwealth Games champion Marshall after her disappointment at London 2012, where she was ranked as the number one seed and a strong gold medal favourite in her weight class. After being given a bye through the round of 16, she was unable to fulfil her potential during a shock upset by Marina Volnova.

"I've come away empty-handed again, so it's a bit disappointing," the crestfallen 25-year-old, who would have guaranteed at least a bronze medal with victory, told BBC Radio 5 Live after her second bout at Riocentro.

When asked if she had any complaints about Fontijn's approach, she added: "I thought she might have got one [point deducted] for holding, but I think they just pick and choose what they want to do, don't they?"

It has certainly not been a stellar Olympics as far as boxing is concerned for Great Britain with several early eliminations, but talented Ghanaian-born London pugilist Joshua Buatsi secured a bronze medal last night following a semi-final defeat to Kazakhstan's Adilbek Niyazymbetov in the men's 81kg light-heavyweight division.

Powerful super-heavy talent Joe Joyce dominated Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan to seal a medal and will meet Ivan Dychko next for a place in that final. Defending champion Nicola Adams is also sure of a podium place after a rather rusty win over Tetyana Kob in the women's flyweight quarters.

She faces China's Ren Cancan next in a rematch of the London 2012 final, which the home favourite won emphatically 16-7 to become GB's first female boxer to claim Olympic gold. She had previously lost to her main rival in two World Championship finals over the space of two years.