Russian boxer out due to injuries

A Russian boxer controversially adjudged to have beaten world champion Michael Conlan at the Rio Olympics is out of the Games because of injuries he suffered at the hands of the Irishman, a top Russian official said.

Vladimir Nikitin's withdrawal from his semi-final on Thursday will ramp up the pressure on amateur boxing's world governing body, the AIBA, which has faced criticism from boxers and coaches in Rio after at least two deeply contentious judging decisions.

One of those was the unanimous points verdict given to the bantamweight Nikitin on Tuesday, sparking a furious, expletive-filled rant from Conlan, who in the eyes of most boxing experts had appeared to have been a clear winner.

And now it transpires that the injuries to the Russian will mean he cannot face American hot prospect Shakur Stevenson.