Irish boxer Michael Conlan has unleashed a scathing tirade at amateur boxing after losing a controversial decision to end his Olympics dream.
"If you have watched these Olympic Games and seen some of the decisions, Olympic boxing is dead," Conlan told Ireland's RTE live on air after losing his bantamweight quarter-final to Vladimir Nikitin on a unanimous points decision. "It's whoever pays the most money. Whoever has the most, wins."
After gaining what was perceived by most as a clear upper hand during a feisty bout with Nikitin, the announcement of the judge's decision sent Conlan into a frenzy, ripping off his shirt and wagging his finger as the crowd cheered him on.
The 26-year-old pulled no punches as he continued his assault.
"AIBA [Amateur International Boxing Association] are cheats. They're f****** cheats. That's me, I'll never box for AIBA again.
"They're cheating b*******, they're paying everybody. I don't give a f*** that I'm cursing on TV.
"I was here to win Olympic gold. My dream's been shattered now. But you know what? I've a big career ahead of me.
"These [unintelligible] - they're known for being cheats, and they'll always be cheats. Amateur boxing stinks, from the core right to the top."
Conlan later took to Twitter to land one last jab, this one directed at Russian president Vladimir Putin.
