Katie Taylor’s defence of her Olympic title has ended at the first hurdle after defeat to Finland’s Mira Potkonen on Monday.
The Irish fighter won gold at London 2012 but was abruptly sent packing from Rio after a split decision count-back went against her in the lightweight quarter-finals.
The verdicts were 39-37 38-38 37-39 meaning one judge gave the result to Taylor and another scored a draw, so the Olympic count-back ruling was brought in to deny the champion.
Taylor was handed a bye in the first round meaning her debut in Brazil would have earned her a minimum of a bronze medal if she advanced past Potkonen.
The reigning champion was ahead on the judges' scorecards after one round but Potkonen roared back, frequently making Taylor pay for her lax defence with an accurate right hook.
Two judges favoured Potkonen heading into the fourth and final round and, despite Taylor remaining competitive until the final bell, she couldn't do enough to avoid elimination.
"I thought I had the fight won, but it was a close fight, and congratulations to her," said Taylor. "But I should be really beating those girls."
Taylor's loss continued an awful Olympics in the ring for Ireland. Michael Conlan is the last Irish fighter left from the eight who made the team. He fights on Tuesday.