Cavan coach blasts 'shocking call' which sees Ceire exit Worlds

Cavan boxing coach Brian McKeown has described Ceire Smith's World Championships loss to Japanese battler Tusukami Namakina on Monday morning as a "shocking call".

"Irish coach Zaur Antia was furious at top table officials," McKeown told The Anglo-Celt.

"Two judges had Ceire winning and three had it 28-28 so it was a majority draw but there are no draws in amateurs and it went to a countback and all three who voted 28-28 went with Namakina even though she picked up public warning and penalty in the third round."

Smith dominated from long range in the opening two rounds against a strong, aggressive but crude opponent and while both felt the pace in the final round, the public warning against the Japanese fighter appeared to cement Ceire's win. 

"She was prepared to let her opponent up close as she was not scoring and Ceire was always in control," said McKeown. 

"It was awful call in the end and a sad way to exit the championships but sadly amateur boxing officials and the sport is under the hammer at the minute and this call equates the to infamous Micheal Conlan Olympic decision."