A messy break-up just got messier.
The AIBA have fined Michael Conlan the maximum amount possible under their rules following his foul-mouthed rant in the wake of his controversial defeat at the Rio Games.
“They’re cheating bastards, they’re paying everybody,” he told RTÉ in an interview immediately following his bantamweight quarter-final defeat to Vladimir Nikitin of Russia.
“They’re known for being cheats and they’ll always be cheats. Amateur boxing stinks from the core to the top. . . today just showed how corrupt this organisation is,” continued Conlan in a passionate, emotional exchange.
The AIBA Monday handed down the heaviest punishment possible to Conlan for his comments – a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs (€9,300).
While the three-man Disciplinary Commission recognised that Conlan was “extremely distraught” after the 56kg bout, they still fined him under Article 6.4 of their Disciplinary Code
The Belfast native went professional in the wake of the Rio Games, which means there is no onus on him to pay the fine, unless at some point in the future he wishes to box again at the Olympics.
Under rules introduced before Rio, professional boxers can compete at the Olympic Games, but if the 25-year-old wants to add to his flyweight bronze from London 2012, he will have to reregister with the AIBA and pay the fine
