Indian boxer Nishant Dev has voiced his frustration over the controversial decision that led to his quarter-final loss at the Paris Olympics 2024. Nishant Dev, who was competing in the 71kg category, faced a split-decision defeat against Mexico’s Marco Verde Alvarez on August 3. The 23-year-old boxer, who had high hopes of securing a medal for India, expressed his disappointment, claiming that the decision deprived India not only of a bronze medal but also of a potential gold.
In an emotional statement to ANI, Nishant revealed his discontent with the judges’ ruling. “I am feeling very bad. India has lost not only a bronze but a gold medal. I had defeated the same opponent earlier, and I was confident of winning this fight too,” he said. Nishant criticized the judging, pointing out that he had won the first round decisively and had dominated the second round with powerful jabs. Despite this, the judges awarded the round to Alvarez, who eventually edged out Nishant in the final round.
The controversy surrounding the match has sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many users alleging unfair umpiring and claiming that India was “robbed” of a medal. Nishant, who had dedicated 15 years of hard work to his boxing career, felt devastated by the outcome. He called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to address what he described as poor judging decisions.
“I would like the IOC to review these poor judging decisions and take appropriate action,” Nishant said. He questioned the scoring system and the effectiveness of the judges, urging the committee to ensure fairness in future competitions. Nishant’s loss marked the end of India’s hopes for a boxing medal in the men’s category at these Olympics, leaving him and his supporters deeply disheartened.
