Prince George fighter Kenny Lally lost a decision to Jose Vicente Diaz of Venezuela at the 2016 American Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The 26-year-old Lally finished with a 1-and-1 record and was eliminated in the Bantamweight 56 Kilos quarter-finals.
The 7-time Canadian champion won his opener by a split decision over Hector Luis Garcia of the Dominican Republic.
Lally was two wins away from earning a spot in this year’s Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
On the phone from Argentina following the fight, Lally was fuming at the decision.
“It was a close fight, but I landed the cleaner shots, I dictated where he went. He head butted me; I have a huge gash on my head right now. I don’t get it, I really don’t. I’m in shock right now … I just got kicked out of the tournament; I’m hoping this is a dream.”
“For how much I’ve worked, to have them take it away. The thing is, I can accept defeat, when I lose I can accept it. But I didn’t lose that fight.”
Lally was one of 13 athletes representing Boxing Canada.
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