In AIBA’s statement, the organization said, after reviewing all 239 bouts in competition in Rio, that “less than a handful of the decisions were not at the level expected”, but that’s still enough to warrant removal of the officials.
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Yesterday, the AIBA stated that it has sent some referees and judges home from the Games following some below par performances from the officials in Rio.
It said that “less than a handful were not at the level expected” but refused to overturn the results of any matches that had already been decided.
First, there was controversy in the men’s under 91 kilograms heavyweight final when Russia’s Evgeny Tishchenko was ruled the unanimous victor over Kazakhstan’s Vassily Levit even though he appeared to be on the back foot for most of the contest.
Tishchenko was booed all the way to the podium.
Conlan opened up a pre-existing cut on the side of the Russian’s head inside the first round and split open another above his left eye in a fight many awarded to the Irishman.
However, there are further twists.
The Russian boxer who controversially defeated Michael Conlan in Tuesday’s Olympic quarter final will not fight in today’s semi-final, according to reports.
Conlan ripped off his vest, made obscene gestures at the ringside judges and then denounced AIBA and Russian Federation as conspirators in corruption. “We welcome all parties to come forward and provide evidence in order to take appropriate and immediate action”. AIBA responded by reviewing the questionable matches and then booting quite a few of the boxing judges and referees, no doubt hoping their action will suppress some of the anger now swirling around Rio Olympic boxing. AIBA said all the judges’ previous decisions will stand.
“Before the Olympics we got the bad feeling – when an ex-Irish [judge] who was part of Aiba came out and kind of outed them”, Conlan told Newstalk’s Off The Ball show. “We’re in a transition period and we have a job to do with our coaches to train their boxers towards the criteria which AIBA is looking for”, he said.
“It stinks. I believe the whole system of amateur boxing at the minute is – Olympic boxing especially – is stinking”. Although many interpreted it as a reference to Michael O’Reilly’s failed drugs test, but he was actually referring to the Kelly controversy.
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Stevenson didn’t immediately confirm he had teamed up with Mayweather to be his promoter or in another capacity, but Stevenson spoke glowingly of the retired champion after meeting him earlier in the Rio tournament.
