Wednesday 17 August 2016 10:45, UK
Michael Conlan said he would never again compete under the AIBA banner after a controversial defeat at the Rio Olympics.
Ireland's world champion lost a unanimous points verdict to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin in the quarter-final of the men's bantamweight 56kg on Tuesday in the latest disputed judging decision.
Conlan reacted furiously when Nikitin's hand was raised a day after Russian heavyweight Evgeny Tishchenko was booed after winning a gold medal decision against Kazakhstan's Vassiliy Levit.
Danger signs were apparent for Conlan after the judges scored the first round against him, despite his seemingly superior footwork which often had Nikitin missing wildly.
Conlan switched onto the front foot for the second round and opened wounds on Nikitin's face during fierce exchanges at close quarters, which earned him the nod on the scorecards.
But more of the same in the final round was scored for Nikitin and the Irishman launched a scathing attack at the amateur boxing's governing body after the verdict was announced.
"Amateur boxing stinks from the core right to the top," said Conlan, a 2012 bronze medallist and Ireland's last hope of a podium placing in Rio. "I'll never box for the AIBA again.
"I was in first gear and I was boxing the ears off him. I don't know how it went against me.
"I watched Russia last night in the final and by all means Kazakhstan beat him and didn't get the decision. I'll never box in an AIBA competition again... not even Olympic Games.
"He was cut everywhere. Did you see his face? You saw by his reaction that he knew he didn't win."
An AIBA spokesman denied allegations of corruption, saying: "It's his personal judgement. All I can say is that AIBA is striving for a fair, level playing field.
"The idea is not to benefit one country towards another, we represent 200 national federations. These statements are groundless, but he's free to have his opinion."
