News has officially arrived that Russian boxer Vladimir Nikitin will not fight again at Rio 2016.
The 26-year-old was due to take on America’s Shakur Stevenson in a last four bout, where victory would have guaranteed him at least a silver. Instead, he has withdrawn from the contest under medical advice and picks up as bronze medal on his way.
Nikitin sustained a nasty head wound in his win over Thailand’s Chatchai Butdee in the preliminaries. That wound was reopened early on in his controversial, unanimous victory over Conlan.
It is another bitter pill for Belfast boxer Conlan to take after all three judges ended his Olympic dream by going against him.
The 24-year-old questioned whether boxing should even feature in Tokyo in 2020, saying “If I was a young boxer watching the Olympics, I don’t think I’d want to be there.”
Nikitin’s withdrawal now means Stevenson, who is coached by Irishman Billy Walsh, will get a silver medal at least. For Walsh, the fact that Conlan won’t face Stevenson is bittersweet:
“Best boxers should meet at the Olympics. One of the best [Conlan] has been denied his chance by poor judging,” he said.
The Team USA boxer will now face the winner of the bout between Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan and Cuban boxer Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana.
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