Michael Conlan's were the words heard around the world. His astringent interview in the aftermath of his defeat to Vladimir Nikitin, in which he labelled the AIBA "rotten to the core", evincing his belief that he was cheated of a second Olympic medal, has led to a shake-up regarding judging at the games, led by the AIBA.
Speaking to Kieran Cunningham in today's Daily Star, Conlan has revealed that he was aware of the likelihood he was going to lose against Nikitin before ever he stepped into the ring, regardless of how well he boxed.
Conlan reveals that Zaur Antia was told by a Russian in the Olympic Village that he was likely to lose:
After he [Nikitin] beat the Thai fighter, Zaur was told by a Russian that I was fucked. Those were the words said to him, "your boy is fucked", he said. I don't know who he was, but this Russian said to Zaur, "I can't say anything about this or I'll be killed".
The Zaur and my dad were running around trying to get in contact with the OCI, to try and get in contact with Pat Hickey and get something sorted. My Dad and Zaur knew. They were heartbroken. They couldn't even enjoy my first win.
They didn't mention it to me but my dad kept saying something to me that he never says: "you can stop this guy, you can get a stoppage".
Conlan admits that he read between the lines as to why his father was offering him this advice: it was the only way in which he might conjure up a victory.
Coach Eddie Bolger, in the heat of the fall-out of Conlan's defeat, told RTE that he had heard whispering around the village pre-fight that there were names upon medals.
Had all gone to plan, Conlan would have been fighting for gold in the ring today.
Elsewhere, Pete Taylor has given an interview to the Irish Independent in which he is heavily critical of the IABA, claiming that - while Conlan deserved to win - he hopes his unfair defeat does not cloud what he believes were major failings on the part of the IABA.
