Judges give Katie 10 points start, says Russian

Katie Taylor’s opponent in today’s gold medal decider has accused judges of giving the Irish woman 10 points before she even steps into the ring.

Sofya Ochigava, who shipped some big punches from Brazilian Adriana Araujo in her semi-final yesterday, claimed the judges always favour the world champion.

“She’s not a bad boxer, she’s one of the best, but sometimes referees forget she’s not a world beater, she’s only a boxer,” the Russian said.

“Like in the fight with Natasha Jonas, everybody thought the second round Natasha really won, but judges, I don’t know, they tried to conceal punches. Natasha was really much better second round and it’s really strange for me, you know. The same in the world championship final when I was boxing with Taylor. When you are boxing with Taylor you are minus 10 points before the fight.” Asked why she thought that was so she said: “Because she is the only one in Ireland who can get gold at the Olympic Games and I think Irish people want her to win. Everywhere you fight the crowd is the same for Taylor. It’s difficult [for me]. You know when you go boxing with Katie Taylor you’re not boxing with her, you’re boxing with all judges around the table and it’s difficult boxing against the system, but I will try like all other girls. The motivation is there. I must do it. “I don’t know, in situations they will try to give her too much points. I don’t think about it, I know about it.

“And I know when you go with her you must get back these minus 10 points to make it zero-zero again. Because if you don’t win 10-plus, it’ll be 50-50.

“ You understand what I mean? If it’s a crazy difference then maybe one point they will give you.”