Sangwan loses controversial bout, India lodges complaint

London – India lodged an official complaint with the organisers of the London Olympics after boxer Sumit Sangwan‘s controversial loss to Brazilian Yamaguchi Falcao Florentino in the round of 32 in the 81 kg category here Monday.

Union sports minister Ajay Maken had asked the country’s Chef de Mission P.K. Muralidhar Raja to lodge an official protest.

Maken tweeted: “Our Cuban coach was protesting at the top of his voice. Everyone felt SUMIT should have been declared a winner. Asking COM Brig Raja to lodge official protest against Sangwan decision. Sent an official with requisite $500 to formally lodge it.”

“Sumit Sangwan Bout; Officially the protest is lodged. Let us hope for justice,” he added.

The 19-year-old Indian fought valiantly and should have won more points but the judges thought otherwise. ESPN commentators were surprised by the verdict and called it “daylight robbery”.

Sangwan looked to have taken the first round but the judges decision meant he was left trailing by one point.

The Indian came out strongly in the second and sent his opponent reeling with great combination punches but again, to the surprise of the commentators, the bout was given in favour of the Brazilian 5-4.

Sangwan, who qualified for the London Olympics after bagging the light heavyweight title at the AIBA Asian Olympic qualifiers in Astana, came out swinging and to his credit took the third round 6-5. But that was not enough for the Indian and he became the second boxer, after Shiva Thapa, to be knocked out in the Round of 32.