Controversial stoppage denies Liz Andiego a fair shot at Serbia worlds medal

The bout, which had been evenly matched up to that point, took a dramatic turn when the referee gave Andiego an unexpected standing count — despite her showing no signs of being hurt or overwhelmed.

Moments later, to the shock of the Kenyan corner, the referee stopped the fight altogether, ending Andiego’s campaign.

The Kenyan coaches erupted in fury, shouting from ringside, "Why? Why?" and voicing suspicions of bias, questioning whether the decision was influenced by race.

“Is it because we're blacks?” one coach was heard yelling in frustration, reflecting the team’s belief that Andiego had been unfairly denied a fair shot.

Before the stoppage, the match appeared balanced, with neither fighter holding a clear advantage.

Both boxers seemed poised to escalate their attacks, setting the stage for an explosive final round.

The abrupt decision not only ended Kenya’s last hope for a medal but also cast a shadow over the integrity of the officiating with all eight Kenyan boxers failing to make it to the medal bracket, leaving many fans and analysts questioning whether Andiego was robbed of her rightful chance to fight on.