Indian Boxer Nishant Dev Alleges Cheating After Being Denied Paris Olympics Medal

Following his elimination from the quarter-finals at the ongoing Paris Olympics, Indian boxer Nishant Dev received criticism from former pugilist Vijender Singh and actor Randeep Hooda regarding the scoring system in the bout. Despite appearing more dominant in the first two rounds against Mexico’s Marco Verde, Nishant ultimately lost the quarter-finals by 4-1. The judges declared Verde as the winner in the next two rounds, despite Nishant’s strong performance in the initial round.

Vijender Singh, a bronze medallist from the 2008 Olympics, commended Nishant for his brave effort and questioned the scoring system of the match.

“I don’t understand the scoring system, but I believe it was a very close fight. He performed exceptionally well. No worries brother #NishantDev,” Vijender wrote on X.

I don’t understand the scoring system but I believe it was a very close fight. He performed exceptionally well. No worries brother #NishantDev

– Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 3, 2024

Randeep Hooda expressed his belief that Nishant was unfairly deprived of an Olympic medal after his elimination and stated on X, “Nishant had secured the victory. What is this scoring? Despite being robbed of the medal, he won the hearts. Unfortunate!! Many more challenges to overcome!!”

Nishant had secured the victory. What is this scoring? Despite being robbed of the medal, he won the hearts. Unfortunate!! Many more challenges to overcome!! #NishantDev #OlympicGames #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/idg6exkOq1

– Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) August 3, 2024

Despite leading in the initial round, Verde was declared the winner by the five judges in the subsequent two rounds.

Nishant maintained his intensity and landed straight punches, catching Verde off guard in the second round. The momentum shifted after Verde applied pressure on Nishant. The second round concluded with a split decision in favor of Verde at 3-2.

Left Right & Centre for the first time everyone is united because everyone knows that Nishant Dev emerged victorious in that #Boxing match, but the judges unjustly deprived him of the medal due to biased refereeing. #cheating #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/9cpxeNdEEV pic.twitter.com/sKp31Lfr2A

— Ganesh (@me_ganesh14) August 3, 2024

When we Indians compete in knockouts, we are not just up against the opponent but also the referees/judges and the entire world.

Evident foul play; Nishant Dev was the clear victor.

This sport should be banned from the #OlympicGames.#Boxing #Olympics #NishantDev

pic.twitter.com/A73rcfjT2w

— Vishal Mishra (@VishalIWF) August 4, 2024

In the final round, Verde received five points from all the judges, while Nishant was awarded nine.

Nishant secured a spot in the men’s 71kg quarter-finals after a tense battle against Jose Rodriguez from Ecuador.

He clinched victory in a close contest and advanced to the next stage of the competition.

Amit Panghal, Nishant’s fellow countryman, also exited the Paris Olympics after a defeat in the men’s 51 kg category round of 16.

Amit was defeated by Patrick Chinyemba from Zambia with a score of 1-4. Amit displayed aggression in the initial rounds, engaging in a back-and-forth exchange of punches. However, the judges favored the Zambian boxer in the final round, resulting in his victory by a split decision of 1-4.