Paris : In a controversial match, Nishant Dev lost 4-1 in split decision against Mexico’s Marco Verde. However, throughout the match especially in the last round, Nishant seemed dominating Marco.
What happened in the match?
Nishant dominated Marco in the 1st round. However, from 2nd round the match began to turn, in whole match Marco who was under pressure facing Nishan’s blows now began to charge up a bit & deliver few blows. He won the 2nd round with split decision 3-2.
In he final round, Nishant delivered punches to Marco & clearly dominated him. However, to everyone’s surprise, Marco received unanimous points from judges & was declared the winner, shattering India’s all Boxing hopes and sparking widespread controversy, criticisms.
Widespread reactions and criticisms
Nishant’s close and surprising loss has drawn huge criticism and reactions among netizens and experts.
Former Olympics Bronze Medalist Vijender Singh remarked, “I don’t know what’s the scoring system, but I think very close fight, he played so well.. Koi na bhai #NishantDev”.
Renowned actor Randeep Hooda voicing his anger said, “Nishant had won it. What’s the scoring? Robbed of the medal but won hearts. Sad ! ! Many more to go chore !! “
Netizens reacted slamming the judge and scoring system as “Robbed, cheating, rigged, daylight robbery“.
“Devastated is not the word – so Proud of you Nishant – you have made the entire country proud – this is just the beginning for you and we @IIS_Vijayanagar will leave no effort to make sure we are ready for that gold in LA. Paris2024“, wrote Parth Jindal , owner of Delhi Capitals, Bengaluru Fc, JSW Paints.
IPS officer Archit Chandak said, “This mockery of a sport with such fraudulent subjective opaque judging is a part of Olympics and Chess is not! Unbelievable. Feel for you Nishant Dev”.
Many calling it rigged, and removal of the Sports from Olympics.
“When we Indians play in knockouts, we not only play against the opponent but also against the umpires/judges and the whole world“, claimed a netizen.
“Clear cheating; Nishant Dev was the clear winner. 💔Ban this sport from the #OlympicGames“, voiced another netizen.
A netizen said, “THIS IS ROBBERY!! Nishant Dev was the clear winner. Boxing is so rigged, no one knows how the judges are scoring. No transparency, just unorganised & based on favouritism & luck. WWE matches make more sense than this clownery they calling boxing rn!”
In a similar fashion, Amit Phangal also lost to Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba by 1-4. In the initial rounds, Amit was highly attacking, and both boxers traded punches. But in the third round, judges ruled in favour of the Zambian boxer entirely, and he won by a split decision of 1-4.
Exit of Nishant and Amit means end of Boxing medal hopes for India.
