REPORT: Vladimir Nikitin withdraws from Olympic semi-final with injuries sustained against Michael Conlan

The reports have yet to be confirmed.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Russian boxer Vladimir Nikitin will withdraw from the Olympic semi-final following injuries sustained in his hugely controversial victory over Michael Conlan on Tuesday. Nikitin had been due to face Shakur Stevenson of the USA in the men’s bantamweight semi-final on Thursday but reports from Rio de Janeiro suggest he is not fit to fight due to injuries sustained in a bruising encounter with Conlan on Tuesday. https://twitter.com/sarahdeming/status/765988403653537792 https://twitter.com/KevByrneBox/status/765989045939867648 https://twitter.com/EddieHearn/status/765992029348397056 https://twitter.com/paddyb_ireland/status/765996478422712320 Conlan made his feelings known about amateur boxing in an incredibly honest interview immediately after the fight and if the latest reports prove to be true, it will be a case of insult added to injury given the dubious circumstances surrounding his defeat. According to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, the AIBA have not received word from Nikitin about a withdrawal, but the Russian fighter is not obliged to officially withdraw until the weigh-in on the morning of the fight. If he does withdraw, Stevenson will advance to the final and a guaranteed gold or silver medal while Nikitin will win a bronze. https://twitter.com/gregbeacham/status/765993731451412480?lang=en https://twitter.com/gregbeacham/status/765994191872790528?lang=en The AIBA today revealed that a number of judges have been removed following a string of controversial decisions at the Olympic Games so far, although none of the judges involved in Conlan’s defeat to Nikitin have been affected.