Time to take a relook at the boxing points system: MC Mary Kom

India's champion boxer MC Mary Kom, like millions of her fans, is left dejected after her heartbreaking loss in the semifinal of the just-concluded World Boxing Championships in Russia.

The six-time World Champion was defeated by Turkey's Busenaz Cakiroglu by a 4-1 margin. The match's result though didn't please Kom, who opined that despite delivering the better punches, she wasn't declared as the winner. Making matters worse, the boxer wasn't even allowed to lodge a protest in the aftermath of the semi-final. As per the rules, the scoreline has to be either 3-2 or 3-1 for the protest to be even considered. With the score reading 1-4 against Kom's favour, the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) technical committee turned her appeal down.

The Manipuri legend said that she was shocked by the result but could not do anything about it. Questioning the rationale behind the rule that did not allow her to challenge the match result, Mary Kom said, "Our protest was not considered as it was a 1-4 verdict. I don't know what this rule is, that you cannot file an appeal if it is 1-4."

"The referee has all the power to hold & raise the loser's hands up for a decision. And this was a clear cut foul play and cheating. I think, time has come relook the boxing points system and the criteria of giving points very closely. It's just becoming whims and fancies of the judges. How can this be allowed for so long? If this can happen with recognized and top boxers then just think what's happening with the not so famous boxers?" the 36-year-old was quoted as saying by Republic World.

The loss though couldn't stop her from scripting history as she clinched the bronze to register a record 8th World Championship medal win.