The bout between Italy's Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine and Uzbekistan's Lazizbek Mullojonov has caused widespreed controversy. GETTY IMAGES

A heavyweight boxing match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has sparked heated controversy in Italy. After Italy's Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine lost to Uzbekistan's Lazizbek Mullojonov, the president of the Italian Boxing Federation (IBF), Flavio D'Ambrosi, expressed widespread outrage and lashed out at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the refereeing system.

The elimination of Mouhiidine, who was beaten 4-1 by Mullojonov on his debut in the -92kg category, was a notable controversy. The young Italian heavyweight was fighting with an injury to his right eyebrow caused by a headbutt from his opponent in the first round, which was deemed to be unintentional. The referee's decision was challenged, but the Uzbek was declared the winner.

The Italian Boxing Federation issued a harsh statement. Its president and former referee, Flavio D'Ambrosi, said, "What a disgrace. Once again Italy has been robbed. We thought the IOC would protect boxers and prevent the atrocities of the past. Nothing has happened. We are in the same situation."



Abbes came to the Olympics in enviable form and showed his ability from the start, setting a steady pace that made life difficult for his opponent. The heavyweight favourite's calibrated punches and defensive strategy saw him dominate the second and third rounds against Uzbekistan's Mullojonov, but four of the five judges gave the victory to the Italian's opponent.

The judges' controversial decision to award the victory to Mullojonov sparked anger from D'Ambrosi, who revealed how the IOC had promised to improve the fairness problems that had plagued boxing at previous events.

D'Ambrosi urged reflection on the reliability of referees and the transparency of the refereeing process at the Olympics, warning that similar situations could damage the confidence of athletes and fans in the future.



"The fight, dominated by Abbes and lost with a disastrous decision, shows that nothing has changed. It makes me think seriously about my permanence in this world that I have loved and love beyond the miserable positions of power that some people crave," said the Italian boxing number one.

D'Ambrosi admitted to feeling disillusioned by a system that does not seem to be moving forward and called for serious reflection on the future of the sport. His words are not only a criticism of the refereeing system, but also a harsh reflection on the instability of boxing's leadership.

"Unfortunately, the scavengers, even the older ones, will take advantage of this obvious injustice and also stop the change that boxing was slowly undergoing at the national level," he said. 

"I am the president and I must answer for the failures, even if they are not directly attributable to me," D'Ambrosi concluded.