Irish star boxer Michael Conlan has launched a vicious attack at amateur boxing and accused the sport’s governing body, Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) of cheating after he crashed out of Rio 2016 Olympic quarter final.
Conlan grabbed bronze at London 2012 and has had plenty of offers to turn pro but the 24-year-old turned them down to win gold. But after his heart-breaking defeat, he said he would never box for AIBA again.
After the defeat, he said:
“AIBA are cheats. They are f*****g cheats, it’s as simple as that. I’ll never box for AIBA again. They are cheating b******s. They are paying everybody. I don’t give a f*** about cursing them on TV. I was here for Olympic gold but that dream has been shattered now. But I have a big career ahead of me but these are known for being cheats. And they will always be cheats. Amateur boxing stinks - from the core right to the top!”
Conlan appeared to be in cruise control in the first round, he left his Russian opponent swinging hopeless haymakers. Incredibly he was told during the first break that he was behind on the judges’ cards and he adopted a more aggressive approach to try to salvage a win
When the fight ended, he left his opponent a bloody mess while he walked away from the bout unscathed but somehow, he was still declared the loser.
He added:
"I came for gold and I've been cheated. My dream has been shattered. It's been robbed. I'll not do another Olympics. I would advise anybody not to compete for the AIBA. At the end of the first round, it had been so easy, so comfortable, I wasn't even out of breath. I said 'I'll win this easy'. But I was told I was down. I had to go to war, which I did. I fought him at his own game. I pulled back that second round then I outfought him in the last round. I've been robbed of my Olympic dream."More photos and the video of Conlan insulting AIBA below...
