British coach Edwards in blast at judges after Murray's shock exit

Head coach Terry Edwards today criticised the judges after Joe Murray became the first British boxer to exit the Olympic Games.

Murray lost 17-7 to China's Yu Gu at the Workers' Gymnasium, even though he had previously beaten his bantamweight opponent in the World Championship quarterfinals in Chicago last year.

The 21-year-old Mancunian was not on top form and was floored by a right hand in the second round but, in front of a vocal home crowd, the contest appeared closer than the score suggested.

Labelling the scoring "absolutely stupid", Edwards added: "They were very generous to the Chinese. You expect a slight bias but you come to the Olympic Games and expect a level playing field.

"Joe didn't box the best I've seen him but the tactics had to be changed because of the scoring. Everything the Chinese touched, they pressed the button for him."

Murray also criticised the judging which had him trailing 9-3 at the halfway stage.

He said: "I was hitting him cleanly and they still weren't giving me points. They let him have it his own way. The only way I could win was not to let him touch gloves on me."