Controversy Continues: The Complicated Scoring System of Olympic Boxing

The scoring system in Olympic boxing is a complex and controversial topic, with many athletes feeling robbed by dubious decisions. Despite multiple changes over the decades, the system remains opaque, leaving boxers and enthusiasts in disbelief. The latest uproar involves India's Nishant Dev, adding to the long list of controversial outcomes.

Olympic boxing's scoring system, once again, finds itself at the center of a storm of controversy. The dispute flared up anew when India's Nishant Dev lost 1-4 to Mexico's Marco Verde Alvarez in the 71kg quarterfinal despite seemingly dominating the match. This pattern of contentious decisions has long plagued the sport.

Prominent voices like Michael Conlan, infamous for his 2016 Rio quarterfinal tirade, continue to criticize the scoring. Conlan's outburst highlighted the deep issues within boxing's amateur scoring system, a system considered opaque and often perplexing for both participants and fans.

Despite several overhauls including the adoption of a professional-style 10-point system in 2013, the judging criteria remain subjective. This has led to repeated calls for reform to ensure fairness and restore the sport's credibility before its proposed inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

(With inputs from agencies.)