Day three in Paris saw Team GB’s Delicious Orie suffer a shocking 3:2 split decision defeat, despite having controlled most of the contest, versus Armenia’s Davit Chaloyan.
A strong opening round saw Orie sail into a comfortable 5-0 lead, then the end of the second saw the judges score it 3:2 in the favour of the Armenian despite another strong three minutes from Orie, meaning that once again for Great Britain in Paris the bout came down to the final round.
It was a fiercely contested final round with both boxers catching their opponent on numerous occasions and come the final bell it appeared Orie had done enough to progress to Friday’s quarter-final stage, yet the scoring ruled Chaloyan, the victor, via a 3:2 split decision.
Not for the first time at these Olympic Games was a decision involving Great Britain met with anger from disgruntled supporters both inside the stadium as well as those watching at home.
A disappointed Orie spoke to media straight after his defeat and said: “I’m absolutely gutted, that’s all I can say.
“I did let a few shots through in that last round, but I didn’t think that was enough for him to win but the judges clearly saw it that way so all I can do is take it on the chin.
“It’s too soon and raw for me to be saying what is and isn’t fair. I do feel hard done by, I thought I did enough, and you could say the same for Rosie and Charley earlier this week as well.
“For the past eight years I’ve dreamed about that Olympic medal and right now, it feels like it’s been taken away from me.”
The next time a boxer from Great Britain will step into the ring is Wednesday 31st July when both Chantelle Reid and Lewis Richardson make their Olympic bows.
First up will be Reid who faces Morocco’s Khadija Mardi at 11:52am UK time, whilst Richardson takes on Serbia’s Vakhid Abbasov at 19:48pm.
Also in action on Wednesday is Cindy Ngamba, who whilst regularly training with GB Boxing, will be representing the refugee team.
She goes up against Canada’s 2022 world champion, Tammara Thibeault at 16:06pm.
If you want to follow all the action from Paris this summer, click here for all the information you need.
