Irish and Russian boxers could hold a fixed fight in Rio-2016

This statement was made by the coach of the national team of Ireland Joe Hennigan. The manager is confident that the fight between Russian boxer Vladimir Nikitin and Irishman Michael Conlan were fixed.

Hennigan claims, head coach Zaur Antia, fluent in Russian, that the hopes of bantamweight world champion Michael Conlan were “gone” before he stepped into the ring. Conlan was subsequently involved in one of the most controversial contests of Rio 2016 after appearing to dominate a quarter-final against Vladimir Nikitin before the Russian was awarded the victory.

Hennigan claims to have been told that head coach Zauri Antia told him of concerns the Conlan bout had been fixed the night before it took place on August 16 after being informed by an unnamed Russian coach. Antia, a native Georgian who can speak Russian, reportedly claimed he had been told that many medals had already been decided.