The dust refuses to settle a day after Michael Conlan’s controversial defeat by Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin.

The Belfast bantamweight was on the wrong side of a unanimous decision despite Conlan’s clear dominance of the bout in Rio.

Conlan could not contain his rage and disappointment afterwards, launching a tirade against the judges, the amateur boxing authorities and the Olympic body, labelling them, among other things, "corrupt".

The post-fight stats have backed up the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist's protestations that he clearly won the fight.

Data from boxing experts Compubox reveals that although Nitikin, by its reckoning, beat Conlan in the first round while the Irishman won the second round and clearly prevailed in the third, which the judges had unbelievably awarded to the Russian despite Conlan’s dominance.

In that final round, Compubox had 24-year-old Conlan landing 31 of his 126 thrown punches while Nitikin landed only 21 of his 87.

The overall figures show that Conlan landed 89 of his 365 punches in the fight while his opponent succeeded with just 75 out of 257.

Conlan landed three more jabs in the fight than the Russian and also landed 11 more power punches throughout the bout.

Boxing pundits and fans worldwide are still in a state of disbelief at the outcome.

Former US world champion and boxing commentator Paul Malignaggi backed Conlan to overcome the loss of a decision he “deserved” to win.

Malignaggi predicted Conlan will have the last laugh with a successful professional career.

British former heavyweight fighter and Sky Sports fight pundit Glenn McCrory has called the result absolutely ridiculous and said Conlan won every round.

Conlan's heartbreak brought comparisons on social media with American Roy Jones Jr's inexplicable loss in the 1988 Olympics in Korea.

Jones lost out to South Korean Park Si-hun in the gold medal bout after appearing to have won the fight hands down.

When the referee raised Park's arms aloft in victory, one TV commentator was prompted to announce: "Well there it is! Park Si-hun has stolen the bout!"

Yesterday Conlan, his team and almost anyone who witnessed what unfolded no doubt felt the same when Nitikin went down on his knees and punched the air in victory.

Conlan goes home with his dreams of Olympic gold shattered, while Nitikin is gifted at least a bronze medal and possibly a gold medal bout.