Rio 2016: Olympic boxing tournament hit by corruption allegations

This looks to be a Serious worry


Senior figures within amateur boxing have warned many bouts, including those to decide medals, could be fixed at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro amid widespread concern about corruption and financial malpractice at the sport’s global governing body, the Guardian can reveal.

Horrified senior officials within the sport believe that a cabal of officials are able to use their power to manipulate the draw and the judging system to ensure that certain boxers will triumph.

One senior figure said that there was “no doubt” that some of the judges and referees in Rio “will be corrupted”. He alleged that a group of referees get together ahead of major championships to decide how to score certain bouts.

Almost every recent Olympics has featured controversy. Most infamously, at the 1988 Games in Seoul home favourite Park Si-hyun beat the American Roy Jones Jr in a light middleweight contest the judging of which became a byword for scandal.

The Romanian former International Boxing Association (AIBA) vice-president Rudel Obreja alleged manipulation of the judges’ draw at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He this week alleged to the Guardian that he was forced out of the governing body as a result.

Before the London 2012 Games, it was alleged by the BBC that Azerbaijan, which loaned $10m to AIBA to underwrite a new professional boxing series that has not been repaid, had effectively bought medals. A thorough AIBA investigation by senior officials later rejected the allegations.

An AIBA spokesman this week told the Guardian: “Since June 2015, AIBA has undertaken major governance changes ensuring the long term development of our sport according to the requirements of our business and sport partners and for the benefits of the AIBA worldwide community.”

But the senior officials who have spoken to the Guardian, who wish to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals against them or boxers from their country, have said that the alleged corruption has become more sophisticated and more widespread since the London Games.

It is alleged that corrupt officials, directed to score bouts in a certain way for a variety of reasons, are said to have initially relied on hand or head signals to manipulate judges at the end of each round so they knew which corner to select the winner from. But after being challenged at a number of major championships they are said to have changed their system, no longer relying on signals but meeting prior to major championships to decide on certain bouts.

“This is all being done very quietly,” said one senior source. “Some bouts are so bloody blatant it’s obvious. It sickens me to my stomach.”

A spokesman for AIBA said its mission was “to ensure the organisation of fair and transparent competitions”. He added: “It is not a matter for AIBA to interfere with the decision made by the judges under sporting rules.”

AIBA said there were approximately 300 judges rated three star and above who were used at elite competitions on a regular basis. It said its certification system ensured all referees and judges “have the highest levels of officiating and are in an optimal situation to perform accordingly”.

Sources alleged that at major championships the draw commission was also being directed as to which judges should officiate each bout.

AIBA says that the draw is operated externally by Swiss Timing, their official scoring partner. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Swiss Timing.

In some championships, sources claimed that around half of the bouts could be predetermined.

One boxing judge who was prepared to go on the record, Ireland’s Seamus Kelly, told the Guardian he had been asked to cheat at the Arab Games in Doha in 2011 by indicating who was winning during the fight.

He claimed that a fellow judge had confided that there were signals used under the new, so-called “10-9” scoring system at the European Championships in Minsk in 2013.

Kelly emailed Dr CK Wu, the sometimes controversial AIBA president, in April 2015 to raise the alarm.

Dr Wu replied: “AIBA will immediately investigate this case. We are zero tolerance for this kind of cheating judges.” But Kelly heard nothing further and believes he has been sidelined since.

“It was mental abuse. I wasn’t sleeping at all because of the way they made me feel. It put an X against my name. They were pushing me away,” said Kelly.

“People are afraid to speak out because if they are judges they will be sidelined and won’t get to go to the Olympics or other championships. If they are officials, they fear their country’s boxers will be targeted.”

AIBA said that Kelly had been sent home from the youth world championships in 2014 for displaying aggressive behaviour towards one of his colleagues. Though he had since apologised, AIBA said that due to the gravity of his actions and “personal issues” it was decided he was not fit to officiate.

“Mr Kelly’s allegations are baseless and damaging to our sport,” said the spokesman. “His correspondence to us over the last two years has been erratic, bordering on extortion at times, and once he understood that he would not reintegrate into AIBA despite numerous emails, he has decided to launch false accusations against our organisation.” Kelly disputes AIBA’s version of events.

Another high-ranking source, who said he believed the manipulation was directed from the heart of the AIBA administration, claimed he witnessed scores being manipulated at major championships and says he is desperately concerned about what is likely to happen at the Rio Olympics.

Judges who make these claims are said to have been pressured to stay silent, while others are concerned that they will be overlooked for championships and the Olympics if they speak out.

AIBA responded: “Boxing is a sport which triggers a lot of passion and sometimes people tend to behave as fans and not as boxing experts which is prejudicial to the reputation of our sport. As for any Olympic Games, the expectations are very high and we can understand the importance of winning a medal.

“However, our role is to ensure a fair and transparent competition and that the thousands of spectators and millions of fans enjoy an amazing tournament with 13 great and undisputed gold medallists. We reiterate that, unless tangible proof is put forward, not just rumours, we cannot further comment on these allegations.”

The spokesman for the governing body added: “We will continue to use any means, including legal action, to protect our sport and its R&J [refereeing and judging] community whose integrity is constantly put into question despite their commitment and expertise. The future of AIBA boxing is bright and the organisation will not be deterred by subjective judgements made by discontented parties which do not reflect the AIBA community as a whole.”

Sources alleged that scores are being manipulated to reward countries prepared to pay to host AIBA championships.

The international governing body has been accused of haemorrhaging cash since accepting a $10m loan from Azerbaijan to underwrite the expansion of WSB and AIBA Professional Boxing, a new competition launched in 2014 to give professional boxers a “pathway” to qualify for Rio.

In a memo sent by ousted director general Ho Kim in June 2015 to AIBA executive committee members, seen by the Guardian, he underlines its “precarious financial situation” and the “rapidly expanding budget” of Wu’s presidential office in Taipei.

He also alleges that Wu’s failed 2013 campaign to become IOC president was covered out of AIBA funds, a claim that AIBA denies on behalf of itself and Wu.

Of the Azerbaijan loan, Kim called on the executive committee to “properly understand what are Azerbaijan’s expectations as to the repayment of the loan or what other benefits are expected if the loan cannot be repaid”.

The AIBA spokesman said that it was “in the process” of repaying the Azerbaijan loan but that it could not go into detail due to confidentiality clauses.

In a series of articles on the website Fight News, the Bulgarian journalist Ognian Georgiev this month made a series of detailed allegations about apparently suspect officiating at the Olympic qualifiers in the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the way in which judges were allocated to particular bouts.

Another senior boxing official claimed to the Guardian: “Simply because it costs so much to run a tournament, some countries are putting their hands out. You could interpret it in that way – look at Venezuela. Looking at the evidence, you have to wonder.”

The South American country is believed to have paid around $450,000 to host the Olympic qualifying tournament from which four of their six boxers who competed qualified for Rio.

Critics say that countries who have hosted AIBA championships over recent years appear to have a correspondingly high proportion of boxers who qualify for the Games.

The AIBA spokesman responded: “The host city of Vargas was selected by a bidding process and a host fee was paid as is usually the case for all sports events organisation across the world.”

“We do not want to comment on rumours,” Wu told Georgiev. “Approximately 60 matches took place during the APB/WSB Olympic Qualification tournament and all participants including the boxers praised the quality and fairness of the event.”

Terry Smith, a Welshman who sits on the AIBA executive committee and is honorary life chairman of the referees and judges committee, insisted he had not heard any allegations of malpractice.

“I haven’t heard anyone speak like this. If it’s the case, the sooner someone alerts the president, the better. He is in the position to do something about it,” he told the Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...n-allegations?

This is the grass routes of the fight game and if this is true (which i'd bet A LOT of money it is after reading the above article) then Boxing is corrupt from head to toe, not just at the Elite/Pro level but right down to the core and shit like this has the potential to rob fight fans of seeing the truly gifted future superstars coming through.
We all know boxing has always been a shady sport but this is "Allegedly" not just happening at the Olympics but happening at Olympic qualifying level as well.
Makes you wonder just how many possible future greats are/have been fucked over and simply lost faith and turned their back on the sport not just now but in years gone bye :confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smashup

This is the grass routes of the fight game and if this is true (which i'd bet A LOT of money it is after reading the above article) then Boxing is corrupt from head to toe, not just at the Elite/Pro level but right down to the core and shit like this has the potential to rob fight fans of seeing the truly gifted future superstars coming through.
We all know boxing has always been a shady sport but this is "Allegedly" not just happening at the Olympics but happening at Olympic qualifying level as well.
Makes you wonder just how many possible future greats are/have been fucked over and simply lost faith and turned their back on the sport not just now but in years gone bye :confused:

---

The "5 star" referee system stinks. Keep all the cronies sweet and protecting each other.

The Price of an Olympic Quota, Part I | Boxing News | Fightnews

The last paragraph of your article is shocking!! How the fuck is this possible? :confused:

"In the part two of this series, The price of an Olympic Quota, we ‘ll tell you more about the competition draw and how three of the six Venezuela’s fighters got so lucky that they went directly to the semifinal of the event without fighting."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashup

This looks to be a Serious worry


Senior figures within amateur boxing have warned many bouts, including those to decide medals, could be fixed at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro amid widespread concern about corruption and financial malpractice at the sport’s global governing body, the Guardian can reveal.

Horrified senior officials within the sport believe that a cabal of officials are able to use their power to manipulate the draw and the judging system to ensure that certain boxers will triumph.

One senior figure said that there was “no doubt” that some of the judges and referees in Rio “will be corrupted”. He alleged that a group of referees get together ahead of major championships to decide how to score certain bouts.

Almost every recent Olympics has featured controversy. Most infamously, at the 1988 Games in Seoul home favourite Park Si-hyun beat the American Roy Jones Jr in a light middleweight contest the judging of which became a byword for scandal.

The Romanian former International Boxing Association (AIBA) vice-president Rudel Obreja alleged manipulation of the judges’ draw at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He this week alleged to the Guardian that he was forced out of the governing body as a result.

Before the London 2012 Games, it was alleged by the BBC that Azerbaijan, which loaned $10m to AIBA to underwrite a new professional boxing series that has not been repaid, had effectively bought medals. A thorough AIBA investigation by senior officials later rejected the allegations.

An AIBA spokesman this week told the Guardian: “Since June 2015, AIBA has undertaken major governance changes ensuring the long term development of our sport according to the requirements of our business and sport partners and for the benefits of the AIBA worldwide community.”

But the senior officials who have spoken to the Guardian, who wish to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals against them or boxers from their country, have said that the alleged corruption has become more sophisticated and more widespread since the London Games.

It is alleged that corrupt officials, directed to score bouts in a certain way for a variety of reasons, are said to have initially relied on hand or head signals to manipulate judges at the end of each round so they knew which corner to select the winner from. But after being challenged at a number of major championships they are said to have changed their system, no longer relying on signals but meeting prior to major championships to decide on certain bouts.

“This is all being done very quietly,” said one senior source. “Some bouts are so bloody blatant it’s obvious. It sickens me to my stomach.”

A spokesman for AIBA said its mission was “to ensure the organisation of fair and transparent competitions”. He added: “It is not a matter for AIBA to interfere with the decision made by the judges under sporting rules.”

AIBA said there were approximately 300 judges rated three star and above who were used at elite competitions on a regular basis. It said its certification system ensured all referees and judges “have the highest levels of officiating and are in an optimal situation to perform accordingly”.

Sources alleged that at major championships the draw commission was also being directed as to which judges should officiate each bout.

AIBA says that the draw is operated externally by Swiss Timing, their official scoring partner. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Swiss Timing.

In some championships, sources claimed that around half of the bouts could be predetermined.

One boxing judge who was prepared to go on the record, Ireland’s Seamus Kelly, told the Guardian he had been asked to cheat at the Arab Games in Doha in 2011 by indicating who was winning during the fight.

He claimed that a fellow judge had confided that there were signals used under the new, so-called “10-9” scoring system at the European Championships in Minsk in 2013.

Kelly emailed Dr CK Wu, the sometimes controversial AIBA president, in April 2015 to raise the alarm.

Dr Wu replied: “AIBA will immediately investigate this case. We are zero tolerance for this kind of cheating judges.” But Kelly heard nothing further and believes he has been sidelined since.

“It was mental abuse. I wasn’t sleeping at all because of the way they made me feel. It put an X against my name. They were pushing me away,” said Kelly.

“People are afraid to speak out because if they are judges they will be sidelined and won’t get to go to the Olympics or other championships. If they are officials, they fear their country’s boxers will be targeted.”

AIBA said that Kelly had been sent home from the youth world championships in 2014 for displaying aggressive behaviour towards one of his colleagues. Though he had since apologised, AIBA said that due to the gravity of his actions and “personal issues” it was decided he was not fit to officiate.

“Mr Kelly’s allegations are baseless and damaging to our sport,” said the spokesman. “His correspondence to us over the last two years has been erratic, bordering on extortion at times, and once he understood that he would not reintegrate into AIBA despite numerous emails, he has decided to launch false accusations against our organisation.” Kelly disputes AIBA’s version of events.

Another high-ranking source, who said he believed the manipulation was directed from the heart of the AIBA administration, claimed he witnessed scores being manipulated at major championships and says he is desperately concerned about what is likely to happen at the Rio Olympics.

Judges who make these claims are said to have been pressured to stay silent, while others are concerned that they will be overlooked for championships and the Olympics if they speak out.

AIBA responded: “Boxing is a sport which triggers a lot of passion and sometimes people tend to behave as fans and not as boxing experts which is prejudicial to the reputation of our sport. As for any Olympic Games, the expectations are very high and we can understand the importance of winning a medal.

“However, our role is to ensure a fair and transparent competition and that the thousands of spectators and millions of fans enjoy an amazing tournament with 13 great and undisputed gold medallists. We reiterate that, unless tangible proof is put forward, not just rumours, we cannot further comment on these allegations.”

The spokesman for the governing body added: “We will continue to use any means, including legal action, to protect our sport and its R&J [refereeing and judging] community whose integrity is constantly put into question despite their commitment and expertise. The future of AIBA boxing is bright and the organisation will not be deterred by subjective judgements made by discontented parties which do not reflect the AIBA community as a whole.”

Sources alleged that scores are being manipulated to reward countries prepared to pay to host AIBA championships.

The international governing body has been accused of haemorrhaging cash since accepting a $10m loan from Azerbaijan to underwrite the expansion of WSB and AIBA Professional Boxing, a new competition launched in 2014 to give professional boxers a “pathway” to qualify for Rio.

In a memo sent by ousted director general Ho Kim in June 2015 to AIBA executive committee members, seen by the Guardian, he underlines its “precarious financial situation” and the “rapidly expanding budget” of Wu’s presidential office in Taipei.

He also alleges that Wu’s failed 2013 campaign to become IOC president was covered out of AIBA funds, a claim that AIBA denies on behalf of itself and Wu.

Of the Azerbaijan loan, Kim called on the executive committee to “properly understand what are Azerbaijan’s expectations as to the repayment of the loan or what other benefits are expected if the loan cannot be repaid”.

The AIBA spokesman said that it was “in the process” of repaying the Azerbaijan loan but that it could not go into detail due to confidentiality clauses.

In a series of articles on the website Fight News, the Bulgarian journalist Ognian Georgiev this month made a series of detailed allegations about apparently suspect officiating at the Olympic qualifiers in the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the way in which judges were allocated to particular bouts.

Another senior boxing official claimed to the Guardian: “Simply because it costs so much to run a tournament, some countries are putting their hands out. You could interpret it in that way – look at Venezuela. Looking at the evidence, you have to wonder.”

The South American country is believed to have paid around $450,000 to host the Olympic qualifying tournament from which four of their six boxers who competed qualified for Rio.

Critics say that countries who have hosted AIBA championships over recent years appear to have a correspondingly high proportion of boxers who qualify for the Games.

The AIBA spokesman responded: “The host city of Vargas was selected by a bidding process and a host fee was paid as is usually the case for all sports events organisation across the world.”

“We do not want to comment on rumours,” Wu told Georgiev. “Approximately 60 matches took place during the APB/WSB Olympic Qualification tournament and all participants including the boxers praised the quality and fairness of the event.”

Terry Smith, a Welshman who sits on the AIBA executive committee and is honorary life chairman of the referees and judges committee, insisted he had not heard any allegations of malpractice.

---

https://cdn.meme.am/instances/32197192.jpg

Did someone turn the light off?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smashup

The last paragraph of your article is shocking!! How the fuck is this possible? :confused:

"In the part two of this series, The price of an Olympic Quota, we ‘ll tell you more about the competition draw and how three of the six Venezuela’s fighters got so lucky that they went directly to the semifinal of the event without fighting."

---

Yep its crazy. The rigging of the "random" selection of the judges is a huge concern. The scoring in that final olympic qualifying comp was shocking and the fact that the poor scorecards are turned in by the same elite judges shows how rotten the system is. And all the solutions suggested around training is just nonsense. Either you can score a fight or you cant. Most of these scorecards seem to be decided before the fight starts.

The corruption has been going on for years and are politically motivated.

That nail was hit right on the head. The politicians should take a long walk off a short pier into shark infested waters. This political motivation is exactly where the problem lies.If they were monitored as much as the poor fighters they would cry unfair and I would say,welcome to club unfair we are running a drive for new members. This will never change and roaches will always run for a dark corner when the lights come on. I won't say another word because this always rattles my chains.

Personally I think all so called amateur sport is bent, its a competition between government subsidies, overpaying so called amateurs and government provided drugs. The so called organisers of these farcical games make thousands out of their poor taxpayers. Total joke, wont be watching any of it.

At least the professional sports allow people to vote with their feet, and attend or not attend, this lot gets staged with worldwide taxpayers money, legally extorted, and given to ambassadors and ponces drinking champagne and patting their civil servants in running shorts on the back. OBE's all round!

Rant over

Boxing on BBC4 tonight, Lawrence Okolie in the Heavyweights

Decisions all ok today.

Pro Ndam beaten by average amateur.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smashup

Boxing on BBC4 tonight, Lawrence Okolie in the Heavyweights

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Don't like the sounds of those allegations, although sadly I wouldn't be that surprised. The draw for those three Venezuelans just sounds too "lucky" to be true.

Just watched Okolie's fight, doesn't look too bad for a novice, leaves himself open at times, but he's definitely got the physical attributes and did well against the Polish fella. Tough one up next though.

How are those professional boxers doing eh????



Yeah that's what I thought

Quote:

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Originally Posted by El Kabong

How are those professional boxers doing eh????



Yeah that's what I thought

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You thought they'd have a 50% win ratio so far?

Three qualifiers, of which two have fought. The only one I've heard of, Hassan N'Dam N'jikam, former WBA and WBO title holder, lost in the first round to a local fighter from Brazil. Carmine Tommasone (15-0 in the pros) won his first round, and Amnat Ruenroung fights tonight. Lots of hype, no real interest from the pros IMO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by El Kabong

How are those professional boxers doing eh????



Yeah that's what I thought

---

You thought they'd have a 50% win ratio so far?

Three qualifiers, of which two have fought. The only one I've heard of, Hassan N'Dam N'jikam, former WBA and WBO title holder, lost in the first round to a local fighter from Brazil. Carmine Tommasone (15-0 in the pros) won his first round, and Amnat Ruenroung fights tonight. Lots of hype, no real interest from the pros IMO.

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Ruenrong going to get destroyed by Oumiha in the 2nd round.

Isn't Ruenrong fighting at a much higher weight though? N'dam too was fighting way above 160

Only seen the Brit fighters so far, was impressed by Joshua Buatsi, nice to see someone throw body shots

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Isn't Ruenrong fighting at a much higher weight though? N'dam too was fighting way above 160

Only seen the Brit fighters so far, was impressed by Joshua Buatsi, nice to see someone throw body shots

---

exactly right , but it just proves what a joke professional weights are because of the 24 hour weigh-in. all the pros have to fight a couple of weights above in the amateurs because they are not TRULY the weight they fight at.
The GB HW is fighting Savon tonight at 11.45pm, might be worth staying up for.

Former pro David Graf lost just there too. Okolie Savon up next. Should be a fun fight. They fought earlier this year and Savon stopped him but Okolie looked good a few nights ago.

I've been seeing mostly lower weights and mostly fair judging.

This Josh Kelley from the UK any thing special?

Paddy Barnes had a tough go of it didn't he? Thought he was going to bring back a medal of some kind but apparently he struggled to make weight

Quote:

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Originally Posted by El Kabong

Paddy Barnes had a tough go of it didn't he? Thought he was going to bring back a medal of some kind but apparently he struggled to make weight

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Yep disappointed for him. Thought he did enough to win the fight but was very close so cant argue. Think the O'Reilly issue probably upset the routine so close to the first fights.

The judging has been very fair so maybe these stories of corruption have been a blessing in disguise so far.
Britain have lost 6 of 12 fighters already but theres been some really talented fighters so far in Rio.
Too many fighters fighting with their hands by their sides trying to be Naz for my liking but theres been some cracking tear ups already.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smashup

The judging has been very fair so maybe these stories of corruption have been a blessing in disguise so far.
Britain have lost 6 of 12 fighters already but theres been some really talented fighters so far in Rio.
Too many fighters fighting with their hands by their sides trying to be Naz for my liking but theres been some cracking tear ups already.

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They guys that youd expect to be getting the fix have been fighting lesser opposition so far.Lets see what happens when the AZE or UZB fighter takes a Cuban on. Was a pretty poor card yesterday for Asanau v Habbachi

Hope our amateur team can defend themselves if they go out to party.
Judo winner got robbed and whooped the day he won. Eye on full swoll.

Have only watched a couple of hrs but tired of hearing about Phelps honestly ;D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Have only watched a couple of hrs but tired of hearing about Phelps honestly ;D

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Sorry who?

Olympic boxing: Joshua Buatsi makes quarter-finals by stopping Rasulov | Boxing News | Sky Sports

Joshua Buatsi looks the goods. Real pro style.

Wouldn't want a clump off him, two sparko jobs in a row. The geezer he fought in the second bout was clearly related to Wlad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Have only watched a couple of hrs but tired of hearing about Phelps honestly ;D

---

Phelps!
Phelps! .BTW did ya hear about Phelps? :happy0931sb4:

Excerpt
if we consider today's modern Olympics to be an extension of the ancient games held in Greece, Phelps has now set an ancient record.

Leonidas won 12 titles in the second century B.C. A renowned runner, Leonidas won three events -- the stadion, a sprint; the diaulos, a longer run; the hoplitodromos, a run performed while wearing armor -- in four straight Olympiads. He is believed to have won more Olympic titles than anybody at the ancient Olympic games. .

Phelps passed Leonidas for most Olympic titles (medals or wreaths) with his win Thursday in the 200-meter individual medley.

Hopefully Leonidas enjoyed his 2,000 years on top.
If Phelps does the same. ..it will be around the year 4,100AD to beat an ancient swimming man named "Michael Phelps."

:rocks:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Have only watched a couple of hrs but tired of hearing about Phelps honestly ;D

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Did you know. Phelps chooses Frosted Flakes over Wheaties?:Sarcasm:

Recent corruption involves the Brazilin beach volleyball team wearing full bodysuits? Lets just be honest here ffs :furious2: :bag:. That's like Santa Claus just handing you new socks.

Buatsi impressive win again scoring two standing eight counts to medal. Considering his style he's gonna be offered some tasty incentives to sign with the top promoters

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Buatsi impressive win again scoring two standing eight counts to medal. Considering his style he's gonna be offered some tasty incentives to sign with the top promoters

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Mayweathers been at the boxing for the last 2-3 days and is already all over him by all accounts, Floyds out there scouting for new talent and what a fucking talent Joshua Buatsi is proving.
Serious power and a ram rod jab, goes hard to the body and just stood and stuck his chin out last night and allowed himself to stupidly take 2-3 hard shots and didn't even flinch :cool:
Really like the look of this kid and he has a massive future depending on which weight he ends up at.
Can he boil down to Super Middle? Doubt it..... Can he bulk up and be effective as a Heavyweight? Hope so but question marks will be raised about his size and Power as the current elite Heavyweights are all huge guys in comparison.
If anyone hasn't caught him yet then have a butchers, explosive and attacking all out fighter and is in the Semi finals Tomorrow night (Tues)

http://e0.365dm.com/16/08/16-9/20/jo...20160815131406

Olympic Boxing: Joshua Buatsi encouraged by Floyd Mayweather | Boxing News | Sky Sports


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh9RnVGqSjQ


3rd round demolition job
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAhXPrYql6M

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SlimTrae

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Have only watched a couple of hrs but tired of hearing about Phelps honestly ;D

---

Phelps!
Phelps! .BTW did ya hear about Phelps? :happy0931sb4:

Excerpt
if we consider today's modern Olympics to be an extension of the ancient games held in Greece, Phelps has now set an ancient record.

Leonidas won 12 titles in the second century B.C. A renowned runner, Leonidas won three events -- the stadion, a sprint; the diaulos, a longer run; the hoplitodromos, a run performed while wearing armor -- in four straight Olympiads. He is believed to have won more Olympic titles than anybody at the ancient Olympic games. .

Phelps passed Leonidas for most Olympic titles (medals or wreaths) with his win Thursday in the 200-meter individual medley.

Hopefully Leonidas enjoyed his 2,000 years on top.
If Phelps does the same. ..it will be around the year 4,100AD to beat an ancient swimming man named "Michael Phelps."

:rocks:

---

To be fair he was competing against Greeks so his opposition, considering nationality and human growth over time, was probably 4'6" unathletic guys covered in olive oil. I mean look at the Greeks, 3 medals total and 2 of them are in shooting, that takes no athleticism. Got two eyes and nothing worthwhile to do, you can be an Olympian.

Shocking decision in the 91kg final tonight. Tishchenko got battered and somehow took it on all cards. Filthy fix without doubt.

I haven't watched a single Olympic event so far. The Olympics by its nature is a very corrupt system where those competing get a few headlines but mostly get very little in the way of reward. Meanwhile areas are cleared of the homeless to build venues that will seldom be used again and officials rake in the money for an event sponsored by despicable corporate interests and is once again way over budget. It's immoral and sick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gandalf

I haven't watched a single Olympic event so far. The Olympics by its nature is a very corrupt system where those competing get a few headlines but mostly get very little in the way of reward. Meanwhile areas are cleared of the homeless to build venues that will seldom be used again and officials rake in the money for an event sponsored by despicable corporate interests and is once again way over budget. It's immoral and sick.

---

Great post, but I'll add sometimes it's not the homeless that are displaced but rather those with homes(Sochi)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gandalf

I haven't watched a single Olympic event so far. The Olympics by its nature is a very corrupt system where those competing get a few headlines but mostly get very little in the way of reward. Meanwhile areas are cleared of the homeless to build venues that will seldom be used again and officials rake in the money for an event sponsored by despicable corporate interests and is once again way over budget. It's immoral and sick.

---

Great post, but I'll add sometimes it's not the homeless that are displaced but rather those with homes(Sochi)

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I haven't watched anything, but I have heard that many of the venues are really empty as well. I think RT did a poll and more than 70% of those polled said that they are not interested in the Olympics. It's like with politics. You are constantly having the media tell you what they think you should be interested in and there is a big disconnect there. I think certainly once you reach a certain age, you see things like the Olympics for what they are. Fey expressions of corporatism and national vanity which serve to do nothing more than distract. Are the Olympics really the most important thing going on in the world?

For the boxers it is a decent chance once they go pro and they can be protected like Amir Khan was, but for many of the less popular events they make little money with what are the prime years of their lives. Even the gold medals are fake as there are just too many events and of course only the officials should get the spoils. Oh, call me cynical. ;D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gandalf

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gandalf

I haven't watched a single Olympic event so far. The Olympics by its nature is a very corrupt system where those competing get a few headlines but mostly get very little in the way of reward. Meanwhile areas are cleared of the homeless to build venues that will seldom be used again and officials rake in the money for an event sponsored by despicable corporate interests and is once again way over budget. It's immoral and sick.

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Great post, but I'll add sometimes it's not the homeless that are displaced but rather those with homes(Sochi)

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I haven't watched anything, but I have heard that many of the venues are really empty as well. I think RT did a poll and more than 70% of those polled said that they are not interested in the Olympics. It's like with politics. You are constantly having the media tell you what they think you should be interested in and there is a big disconnect there. I think certainly once you reach a certain age, you see things like the Olympics for what they are. Fey expressions of corporatism and national vanity which serve to do nothing more than distract. Are the Olympics really the most important thing going on in the world?

For the boxers it is a decent chance once they go pro and they can be protected like Amir Khan was, but for many of the less popular events they make little money with what are the prime years of their lives. Even the gold medals are fake as there are just too many events and of course only the officials should get the spoils. Oh, call me cynical. ;D

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I don't think you are cynical enough. First the Russians are banned entirely after all it was a government sponsored cheating program.(not the first time for a government sponsored PED program either) then they were choosing sport to sport but all known drug cheats were banned. Then suddenly the day before they have a vote that lets known drug cheats compete and they were already in Rio! WTF? You can't make it more obvious that bribes were paid. We think boxing is corrupt, it ain't got sh*# on FIFA and the IOC