Ireland’s best gold medal hope Michael Conlan is sensationally out of the Olympics after one of the most twisted judging decisions in recent history.
Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin was the victor after all three judges scored the fight 29-28.
Speechless
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) August 16, 2016
This is what Irish Twitter users made of the bout.
Let's go @mickconlan11 #Rio2016 #FightingIrish 🇮🇪🇮🇪👊🏼👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/TIWLfjnmmp
— Patrick Hyland (@Pajpunisher) August 16, 2016
First round
Conlan was the dominant fighter in the first round but not a single judge thought so.
Sneaky Russians #RioOlympics2016
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) August 16, 2016
Joke score there
— Cian Healy (@ProperChurch) August 16, 2016
What are these judges watching 😳😳👀👀
— Enda Curran (@EndaCurran1) August 16, 2016
The judges in the boxing are taking the piss against the Irish!!!#Rio2016
— Eoin Cadogan (@cads3) August 16, 2016
Bollix to that
— Rhys Ruddock All Stars Fan (@GifsRugbyNStuff) August 16, 2016
Second round
Conlan’s right hands were finding their range but the Russian was getting through with uppercuts. Conlan had to get treatment to an old cut that opened up during the round. As did his opponent.
Luckily, sense was prevailing…
big 2nd round from Conlon all three judges give him it fight level going into last round!
— Ciaran Donaghy (@TheAnswer75) August 16, 2016
Paddy Barnes signalling to Irish coaches that the bout is level.
— Evanne Ní Chuilinn (@EvanneNiC) August 16, 2016
All on last round come on kid @mickconlan11 #IrishBoxing 👊🏼👊🏼🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪
— Patrick Hyland (@Pajpunisher) August 16, 2016
Third round
The final round was so, so tight with both men looking gassed.
Conlan taking too many punches. Seems to be trying to get a knockdown.
— Daithí Ó Donnghaile (@YeSecondPost) August 16, 2016
By the final bell, no-one had a clue where it would go.
Rd 3 gotta be Conlan
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) August 16, 2016
Conlan deserves this
— Sylvester Hennessy (@Slyone1069) August 16, 2016
THE REACTION
RTE’s fight commentator Hugh Cahill tweeted this in the immediate aftermath, as the broadcaster went to an ad break.
Disgusting. This sport is f**ked
— Hugh Cahill (@hughcahill7) August 16, 2016
The rest of the nation tried to take it all in.
Oh my god
— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) August 16, 2016
😱😱😱😱😱
— Fiona Coghlan (@CoghlanFiona) August 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/AaronMcAllorum/status/765561106769338368
Not having that. Disgrace.
— Paul Moore (@ElChiefMoore) August 16, 2016
