Olympic Games boxing matches fixed as investigation finds ‘concerns’ with Joe Joyce bout

Luke Campbell announces his retirement from boxing

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An independent investigation has concluded that a system to manipulate the outcome of boxing matches by officials was in place at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Professor Richard McLaren, the head of the investigation commissioned by the sport’s world governing body AIBA, said the “seeds had been sown” years before.

Two bouts were highlighted, those featuring defeats for Great Britain’s Joe Joyce and Ireland’s Michael Conlan, with Mail Online reporting that the results of 11 bouts in total are being scrutinised.

Joyce took silver in the men’s super heavyweight division, losing to France’s Tony Yoka in the final on a split decision – while bantamweight Conlan was dubiously beaten by Russian boxer Vladimir Nikitin in his quarter final.

The defeat for Joyce, 35, was already deemed one of the most controversial outcomes in Olympic boxing history, after he appeared to outbox his opponent in all three rounds only for the Frenchman to have his hand raised afterwards.

It prompted jeers from the crowd while Conlan’s defeat, also after a split decision, was deemed every bit as farcical.

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It is as yet unclear whether Joyce will be upgraded to a Gold medal should it be proved his bout was fixed.

The AIBA have said they have “concern” over the findings, which the investigation by McLaren and his team focusing on whether boxers from certain nations were given favourable verdicts by referees and judges in Rio. 

Among those investigated are France and Uzbekistan, which won more bouts than the best boxing nations.

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