Contentious verdict for England’s Dimeji Shittu at Commonwealth Games
England’s Dimeji Shittu was denied Commonwealth Games gold in deeply contentious circumstances on Saturday evening, falling to India’s Ankush Panghal in the men’s 80kg boxing final in Glasgow, reports BritPanorama.
The 24-year-old dominated the opening round emphatically, even forcing his opponent to take a count. However, the contest swung dramatically when the referee penalised Shittu with two-point deductions across the second and third rounds — one for holding, another for hitting.
These penalties proved decisive. The judges ultimately handed the bout to Panghal by a margin of four to one, with four officials awarding the Indian the concluding round. Shittu was left visibly distraught at the verdict, while the Glasgow crowd expressed their displeasure, greeting the announcement with loud boos.
TNT Sports co-commentator Richie Woodhall, himself a former champion, delivered a scathing assessment: “Shocking, terrible, totally robbed. He certainly had the referee on his side there and the referee has cost Dimeji Shittu the contest.” Woodhall was bewildered by the scoring of the final round, stating, “How did [Ankush] win that last round on the judges’ scores? That is absolutely terrible. Shocking decision. Totally robbed and that’s not sour grapes.”
The spectators inside the Glasgow venue shared Woodhall’s indignation, jeering as the result was read out. It was a verdict that left seasoned boxing observers struggling to comprehend how a fighter who had appeared so dominant could walk away without gold. Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Delicious Orie was equally critical, declaring on TNT Sports: “In my opinion, it was a total robbery. I think the referee has stripped that gold medal from Dimeji.”
Orie expressed disbelief over the absence of any prior warnings before the deductions. He argued that a simple verbal caution would have sufficed to correct Shittu’s behaviour without costing him the contest. The former champion even suggested introducing artificial intelligence as a means of removing subjectivity from boxing officiation, drawing a comparison with athletics, where outcomes are indisputable.
Despite the controversy, Shittu displayed remarkable composure in the aftermath. Rather than directing frustration at the officials, he shouldered the responsibility, stating, “A lot of people might say this about the referee, the judging, but at the end of the day I can only blame myself. Those are the rules. We live and we learn.”
He acknowledged that the infractions had ultimately been his undoing, conceding, “It cost me the fight.” Yet, there was no bitterness, only a steely resolve to progress. “If people think I should have got the decision, fair play, I understand. But if I’m sitting here blaming judges, blaming refs, I’m not going to get better,” he added.
Shittu’s reaction reflects a character that may prove more valuable in the long run than any medal. His commitment to improvement underscores a determined spirit, showcasing how resilience can shine through, even when faced with adversity. In the world of competitive sport, such moments may define a career beyond the accolades earned in the ring.
