Fans claim Team GB boxer has been 'robbed' of chance to compete for gold medal at Olympics
Boxing fans are convinced Lewis Richardson was 'robbed' of a victory over Marco Verde in their semi-final bout on Tuesday.
Before Imane Khelif took to the ring to book her place in the gold medal contest, Team GB star Richardson faced Mexico's Verde for a spot in the men's 71kg final.
Richardson seemed to have done enough to win the clash and secure a spot in Friday's gold medal showdown.
However, the Olympic judges saw it differently as they awarded the fight to Verde by split decision, giving him a 3-2 win.
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The shocking decision angered boxing fans on social media as they called it a 'robbery'.
Lewis Richardson thought he'd done enough to win here. Did you?
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 6, 2024
Mexico's Marco Alonso Verde Alvarez got the 3-2 split-decision win 🥊#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/znj0AXoqbH
One X user wrote: "Is there anything more corrupt than boxing judges in the Olympics Lewis Richardson has been f**king robbed there."
A second tweeted: "Lewis Richardson won that fight, there’s honestly nothing as corrupt as boxing in the Olympics."
A third added: "Lewis Richardson Robbed. Boxing the most corrupt sport around."
Referencing Michael Conlan's infamous rant at the 2016 Olympics, a fourth said: "Lewis Richardson robbed there. In the word of @mickconlan11, boxing stinks."
A fifth slammed: "Lewis Richardson you have been robbed blind. Won the last 2 rounds, the final round was even more clear than the second yet all 5 judges gave the third round to the Mexican? When will this sport change? Makes me sick. These guys must think what’s the actual point."
Boxing expert Steve Bunce also thought Richardson edged past Verde.
"I thought Lewis had done enough in that last round to win," he said.
"I am amazed. Verde had nothing left. Lewis had dominated. I am disappointed.
"It wasn't a robbery but I do believe Lewis Richardson was harshly treated there."
Speaking after securing a bronze medal, the Colchester-boxer said: "It is devastating, it's a good word.
"It's raw; I've stepped out of the ring moments ago so emotions are very high.
"I'm obviously disappointed to miss out on the final and box for a gold, on Friday night.
"Initial disappointment but I hope to look back and be extremely proud of what I've achieved, because I've created history within my city of Colchester and I'm the only British boxer to medal at these Games.
"Hopefully, I'll look back with pride and happiness in the future."
Nasir Jabbar