By Paul Jones

Rosie Eccles admitted she was “really, really shocked” after her Olympic dream was ended at the first hurdle following a hugely controversial points decision defeat.

The Team Wales Commonwealth champion of 2022 appeared to have done enough to comfortably overcome the challenge of Poland’s Aneta Rygielska in the women’s 66kg boxing.

But the Great Britain fighter suffered a split-decision loss that left most spectators in the arena in Paris stunned at the outcome.

Eccles was on the front foot throughout the three-round bout but after edging the first on the judges’ scorecards, the Caldicott fighter was deemed to be second best to Rygielska in the next two.

The Pole was deducted a point late in the third round for failing to keep her head up but, despite that, both judges who scored the fight even at 28-28 called it in favour of Rygielska.

The result was greeted with a loud boos and jeers around the North Paris Arena.

A shock in the boxing!

Great Britain’s Rosie Eccles is out of the women’s 66kg boxing after a split-decision loss to Poland’s Aneta Rygielska.#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 #Boxing pic.twitter.com/Fd7Ff1DTIO

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 28, 2024

Only one judge actually had Rygielska ahead on the scores, 29-27, while two gave it to Eccles, 30-26 and 29-27.

The Canadian judge gave the fight to Eccles by a four-point margin  (30-26), while the Norwegian had Rygielska victorious by 27-29.

The third judge, from the USA, also gave it to Eccles by a two-point margin – 29-27.

But the judges from South Korea and Estonia had the fight level, and then gave their verdicts to the Pole.

It left Eccles momentarily having to fight back the tears before the 26-year-old – who missed  out on the Tokyo Games through illness and injury  – giving a calm and withering verdict on the judges.

“A boxer knows when they have won a fight,” she said.

“I knew I had won the fight so I am really, really shocked.

“For her to have a point taken off for spoiling, I am even more gutted. I don’t know what to say other than I’m really grateful to everyone that has helped get me here.

Extraordinary, bizarre, inexplicable points split decision against @TeamGB‘s Rosie Eccles. Clearly won the fight. Outrageous injustice.

— Graham Thomas (@Graham_Thomas) July 28, 2024

“I need to say thank you. I really appreciate everyone’s support and I’m sorry I couldn’t do it.”

Eccles had spent three years preparing for the fight as she chased her ambition of following Lauren Price and becoming Olympic champion.

Instead, she is out of the Games after one  contest.

“I was so ready. Like beyond ready. With the anticipation I was geared up and ready to go. She is a tricky girl. But I did what I needed to do to win.

“I would have liked to have met her later on (in the competition) as she is tricky. But I did the job.

“I kept to my game while she is a fighter who just wants to steal a fight. I thought I did everything to stop her stealing it, but unfortunately for me that wasn’t the case.

“It feels like I am in a dream right now, but not a great one.”

Olympic boxing big smell!
Rosie Eccles slaughters Polish girl, who was visibly unable to cope. Polish girl also gets point deducted and had loads of warnings.
Then judges give it to the Pole, who seemed to know she was going to get it….no matter what! Boo!

— Ian McLennan (@CllrIanMcLennan) July 28, 2024

Eccles had fought back from three bouts of Covid-19 before the Games and added:

“I’ve given my whole life for a gold medal at the Olympics. Or at least an Olympic medal to take home.

“I really would have been proud of that and to share it with all the people who have got me here. But it just wasn’t meant to be.

“And my poor team-mate Charley Davison yesterday as well. She experienced the same thing. Both of us have not had a great time.”

 

Ends