- Callum Peters was defeated at the Olympic Games
- Peters, 21, went razor close to beating the reigning champion
- But the judges controversially awarded the fight in his rival’s favour
Australian boxing fans are up in arms after young gun Callum Peters was denied a famous victory at the Olympic Games.
The South Australian, 21, lost a razor-close split decision to reigning world champion Nurbek Oralbay in Paris, despite pushing the Kazakh all the way in an absorbing three-round contest.
He sensationally rocked Oralbay in the second round, forcing the referee to intervene and issue a standing eight count.
The last round saw the champion warned after holding onto Peters as he looked to apply the pressure with victory in sight.
Despite this, three of the five judges awarded victory to Oralbay.
Peters told reporters ‘I won that fight’ after receiving a standing ovation from the crowd in the arena, and outraged supporters took to social media to vent their fury at the decision.
‘Callum Peters just got robbed I’m sick,’ said one gutted fan on X.
Another added: ‘Hello 911 I’d like to report a robbery on behalf of Callum Peters.’
Aussie boxer Callum Peters (left) was cruelly denied victory in Paris
A third fan said: ‘Stop watching Olympic boxing. It’s bent. Australian Callum Peters is the latest victim of a robbery.’
‘What an absolute joke,’ said a fourth fan. ‘Callum Peters won the 2nd round clearly and the 3rd. The Kazakh was holding on and hugging the whole last round.
‘Even the 1st round was close. I love boxing but that’s the worst thing about it, you don’t get the KO or TKO your chances diminish.’
