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Aussies left raging over Olympics 'disgrace' after boxer 'robbed' against world champion

Many felt Callum Peters did enough to beat Nurbek Oralbay - but the judges disagreed.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

Australians were left fuming while watching the Olympics on Tuesday night after boxer Callum Peters appeared to be completely dudded. The light-heavyweight thought he'd done enough to take down world champion Nurbek Oralbay on his Olympic debut, but the judges left him "gutted" with their scoring.

After Harry Garside's devastating loss just 24 hours earlier, there was more heartbreak for Australia when the judges' call didn't go Peters' way. Oralbay lifted the world title in Tashkent last year, but was immediately put on the back foot by a fired-up Peters.

The Aussie forced his Kazakh opponent to take a standing count in the second of three rounds, but the judges inexplicably gave the decision to Oralbay. Many observers felt the 21-year-old had done enough to become the first Indigenous fighter to win at the Olympics for Australia after a blistering final-round effort, but Oralbay got the 3-2 verdict by the narrowest of margins.

Callum Peters in action in the Olympics boxing.
Many thought Callum Peters was robbed at the Olympics. Image: AAP

Three of the five judges gave the decision to the Kazakh by 29-28, and the other two went for Peters by the same scoreline. The Aussie silver medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games cried out in anguish when the verdict was announced, and bowed his head in devastation.

Callum Peters and Nurbek Oralbay.
Callum Peters went down narrowly to Nurbek Oralbay at the Olympics. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Callum Peters, pictured here looking gutted after losing to Nurbek Oralbay at the Olympics.
Callum Peters was gutted after losing to Nurbek Oralbay at the Olympics. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

"Thought I did enough in the last round, lot of clean shots," he said afterwards. "I'm a bit disappointed because, damn, I really wanted it today. I did enough in the second and last rounds. But it didn't happen. You've just got to learn from those type of tough fights, those hard ones. I felt strong. I felt good, but that's boxing."

Peters thought to himself: "'Oh s***, I need to get some dog in me! Then in the second, I got a nice (right hand) shot in - he got an eight-count, sweet. I thought it might have been a 10-8 round ... but it didn't happen. I'm gutted. He tried to knock my head off in that first round but I'm still standing. What is it they say? Die standing or live kneeling..."

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Peter Badel of the Courier Mail wrote on social media: "Callum Peters was robbed. He went within a whisker of a monster Olympics boilover. The Aussie loses a split decision to reigning gold medal world champion Nurbek Oralbay. The Kazakhstan king got a standing 8-count but wins on points. Standing ovation for Peters."

Another viewer wrote: "Broad daylight robbery. Callum peters won it clear. This is a disgrace to Olympics Boxing. They haven't changed a thing." While another commented: "What an absolute joke, Callum Peters won the 2nd round clearly and the 3rd. The Kazak was holding on and hugging the whole last round. Even the 1st round was close. I love boxing but that's the worst thing about it, you don't get the KO or TKO your chances diminish."

Peters appears to have a big future in the boxing ring, and says he wants another crack at the Games. "I don't see why not. I'm only 21; I was hoping to get gold here but there's always a next one," he said. "Just stay on track for that, don't drift."

with AAP