Nishant Dev Questions Judging as Olympic Hopes Smashed

Indian boxer Nishant Dev, eliminated in the Paris Olympics quarter-finals, believes he could have won gold. He criticized the judges' decisions in his bout against Mexican opponent Marco Verde, urging the IOC to address the issue. Nishant had dominated early rounds but lost 1-4 overall.

Indian boxer Nishant Dev, who crashed out in the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics, said he had the potential and confidence to win the gold medal, raising doubts over the quality of the decision-making in his bout against his Mexican opponent. Facing Mexico's Marco Verde in the men's 71kg boxing quarterfinals, Nishant lost the match 1-4, despite appearing dominant in the first two rounds.

The 23-year-old wrapped up the first round in his favor. However, in the next two rounds, Verde was declared the winner by the judges. Nishant asserted that he viewed himself as a potential gold medalist, having defeated the Mexican opponent earlier. Nishant urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take note of the 'poor judging decisions' and take appropriate action.

'India did not lose a bronze but a gold medal. I saw myself as a gold medalist because I had defeated him earlier and I believe I defeated him in this fight too. But the judges had a different viewpoint. I am not happy with their decision. All my hard work over the last 15 years feels wasted. This should not happen to any athlete in the next Olympics. The IOC should take action,' Nishant told ANI.

In the third round, Verde was awarded five points by all the judges. Nishant led the first round, but Verde was deemed victorious by the judges in the next two rounds. Despite Nishant's continued intensity and effective jabs, Verde exerted pressure in the second round, ultimately leading to a split decision favoring Verde 3-2.