Anyone watching knew exactly what they saw.
Michael Conlan was robbed by the judges having done more than enough to defeat his Russian opponent Vladimir Nikitin, and the AIBA have, justifiably, been facing a tsunami of outrage ever since the hand of the fighter in the blue corner was raised.
Conlan lashed out at the organisation in his post-fight interview, the fans have been tweeting their fury, and media members and pundits have been expressing their disgust ever since the fight, but a number of boxers have also spoken out against what went down in Rio.
You've got a bright future @mickconlan11 the world knows you deserved that decision, you will laugh last with success in your pro career.
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 16, 2016
Feeling very bad for a true terrific fighter @mickconlan11, another robbery, one more from these fucking thieves
— Sergio Martínez (@maravillabox) August 16, 2016
Sacrifice everything only for your dreams to be shattered by corruption. These judges won't even lose a wink of sleep either. Shameful
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) August 16, 2016
I think it's a disgrace that @AIBA_Boxing are taking back handers! They need to sort this out its a joke!
— Kevin Mitchell (@KevinMitchell6) August 16, 2016
F**king joke the judgeing for @mickconlan11 fight blatantly robbed f**king scumbag judges robbing #TeamIreland #boxing #OlympicGames ???????
— Gary Spike OSullivan (@spike_osullivan) August 16, 2016
Sums up amateur boxing! Sorry for you @mickconlan11 https://t.co/Hwj4qIKKzg
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) August 16, 2016
Poor @mickconlan11 He was never winning that fight unless by KO. That result was decided months ago!! #PureCheats
— matthew macklin (@mattmacklin) August 16, 2016
Speechless
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) August 16, 2016
@AIBA_Boxing you must be on a great wage! How you can take someone's dreams away from them just like that! Hold your head in shame ?
— Sonny Upton (@SonnyUptonClan) August 16, 2016
When judges robbed a young man of his life time dream something should be done! Chin up @mickconlan11 #CheatingCunts
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) August 16, 2016
Feel so sorry for @mickconlan11 and that decision. Outstanding fighter, poor decision #corruption
— Jamie Kavanagh (@JamieKavanagh90) August 16, 2016
Fucking stinking!!! Devastated beyond belief,, cheating cunts paid for medals before the competition even started,, ruining dreams #Scum
— Jamie Conlan (@JamieConlan11) August 16, 2016
You sacrifice all your life for a dream and then have a bunch of bandits bloody snatch it away from you. Conlan was clear winner #Rio2016
— Bernard Dunne (@Bernard_Dunne) August 16, 2016
The Russian team must have paid top Dollar to the R/J. Hang your heads in shame you bunch of sell outs #RioOlympics2016 #olympicfarce
— Kenneth Egan (@kenegan30) August 16, 2016
@mickconlan11 hard luck mate! Disgraceful just like everytime the Russians pay off the judges its a disgrace u know what to do now mate pro!
— John Joe Nevin (@johnJoeNevin) August 16, 2016
Robbing bastards
— Barry Jones (@BarryJonesBox) August 16, 2016
Despite claiming he was "speechless" at the time, Andy Lee has since had some very interesting things to say on Off The Ball.
"It's disgusting really" - @AndyLeeBoxing didn't mince his words after @mickconlan11's scandalous loss! #Boxing https://t.co/N1rqvZJZ9b
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 16, 2016
"If you get beat fair & square hold your hands up, but he wasn't beat" - @AndyLeeBoxing on @mickconlan11. #Boxing https://t.co/URc0uhJqRN
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 16, 2016
It really is just bitterly disappointing for Michael Conlan.
There is no avenue to appeal, what's done is done, and he will have to come to terms with the fact that his Olympic dream has undeservedly been taken from him.
