Boxing judges sent home from Rio Olympics after review of decisions
The International Boxing Association sent home an unspecified number of referees and judges after a review found that “less than a handful of the decisions were not at the level expected,” the governing body announced in a statement on Wednesday.
The move announced by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) comes a day after some highly controversial decisions at the Rio Games.
Irish boxer Michael Conlan appeared to have beaten Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin, although judges gave Nikitin the victory in a 56-kilogram division quaterfinal. Team USA’s Gary Russell lost a split decision to Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov, which prompted retired boxing champ Floyd Mayweather to say Russell had “clearly been robbed.”
“AIBA will not shy away from its responsibilities and is fully committed to a zero tolerance policy towards fair play in boxing, always acting in the boxers’ utmost interest,” the AIBA said in a statement. AIBA said all the judges’ previous decisions will stand.
Conlan blasted the AIBA with a profanity-laced outburst after his bout on Tuesday.
“AIBA cheats,” Conlan said. “They’re (expletive) cheats. I’ll never box (under) AIBA again. They’re cheating bastards. They’re paying everybody. I don’t give a (expletive) that I’m cursing on TV.”
AIBA touched on Conlan’s claims in its statement, asking for proof of corruption.
“With regard to corruption, we would like to strongly restate that unless tangible proof is put forward, not rumors,” the statement read. “We will continue to use any means, including legal or disciplinary actions to protect our sport.
“The organization will not be deterred by subjective judgments made by discontented parties. We welcome all parties to come forward and provide evidence in order to take appropriate and immediate action.”
Photos: Top shots from Tuesday