By Shawn Smith

After a disappointing 2012 Olympics in London, the USA Boxing team is looking for redemption in 2016 at the Rio Olympics. Nico Hernandez has done his part.

Hernandez shocked pundits by advancing to the medal stage in the men’s light flyweight division, before falling to Hasanboy Dusmatov during the morning session on Friday. It was a valiant effort from Hernandez, who stayed competitive over three rounds and pushed for a knockout late in the fight. It is USA Boxing’s first men’s medal in boxing since 2008 after being shut out in 2012.

“I got caught up in fighting in his fight instead of adjusting,” Hernandez told NBC Sports’ Chris Mannix of his performance.” I don't take no satisfaction (in taking bronze) but I know my people back home are cheering me on so I take satisfaction in that.

Carlos Balderas Jr. also had an impressive tournament, with wins over Berik Abdrakhmanov of Kazakstan and Daisuke Narimatsu of Japan, but fell short on Friday as he ran into medal favorite Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba.

At only 19, Balderas Jr. has options moving forward, but man expect him to turn pro.

“I exerted too much energy at the start,” Balderas told Chris Mannix. “This guy was tricky. He's a good fighter. I give him nothing but respect. But I don't believe he's a better fighter than me.”

It wasn’t all glory for Cuba during the morning session, as Joahnys Argilagos was shocked by Colombia’s Yurberjen Martinez. The Colombian used relentless pressure to smoother the outside fighting of Argilagos, frustrating him over three rounds en route to a substantial upset. Argilagos was expected to fight for gold.

“I am very happy right now,” Martinez told NBC Sports’ Don Cardona. “This is such a big win, for all of Colombia. I'm honored and blessed to be the first fighter ever from Colombia to now compete for a gold medal. This is a moment that I will always remember.”

Canadian medal hopeful Mandy Bujold did her part in moving Canada towards their first Olympic boxing medal since 1996 with a unanimous decision victory over Yodgoroy Mirzaeva of Uzbekistan. Bujold used footwork and slick hands to outpoint her opponent and is now one win from medaling.

Quick Results:

Women’s flyweight (51kg.): Tetyana Kob (UKR) def. Stanimira Petrova (BUL)

Women’s flyweight (51kg.): Mandy Bujold (CAN) def. Yodgoroy Mirzaeva (UZB)

Women’s lightweight (60kg.): Mira Potkonen (FIN) def. Adriana Araujo (BRA)

Women’s lightweight (60kg.): Junhua Yin (CHN) def. Hasnaa Lachgar (MAR)

Men’s light flyweight (49kg.): Yurberjen Martinez (COL) def. Joahnys Argilagos (CUB)

Men’s light flyweight (49kg.): Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB) def. Nico Hernandez (USA)

Men’s lightweight (60kg.): Lazaro Alvarez (CUB) def. Carlos Balderas Jr. (USA)

Men’s lightweight (60kg.): Robson Conceicao (BRA) def. Hurshid Tojibaev (UZB)

Men’s middleweight (75kg.): Arlen Lopez (CUB) def. Zoltan Harcsa (HUN)

Men’s middleweight (75kg.): Christian Mbilli (FRA) def. Marlo Delgado (ECU)

Men’s middleweight (75kg.): Zhanibek Alikhanuly (KAZ) def. Ilyas Abbadi (ALG)