WBA TO LOOK INTO HOLYFIELD?S PROTEST
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 31 Dec 2008
The World Boxing Association will look into the protest filed by former four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield following his controversial loss to Russian giant Nikolay Valuev last December 20.
An official statement by the WBA said ?As the World Boxing Association (WBA) always cares about and respects the fans? and the media? opinion the Championship Committee has ordered a panel of judges to review the tape of the fight? between Valuev and Holyfield.
The WBA statement did not set a deadline for a decision to be rendered following the review but said it will be made in ?the following weeks.?
The title fight had been described as one of the dullest in heavyweight title history and one in which Valuev was booed by fight fans in Zurich when he entered the ring and after the decision was announced.
Two of the three judges scored it for the 7 foot Russian who towered over the 6? 2 ?? Holyfield and enjoyed a weight advantage of nearly 100 pounds.
Pierluigi Poppi had Valuev the winner 116-112 and Mikael Hook 115-114 while the third judge Guillermo Perez Pineda scored the fight even at 114-114.
The decision was bitterly criticized by a majority of boxing writers who saw the fight either at ringside or on television although there were a few who said Valuev deserved the victory.
Super Sport in South Africa blasted Valuev saying his performance will ?go down as one of the worst by a champion in a title fight. He did not look like a boxer, let alone a champion.?
Boxing writer Cliff Rold of Boxing Scene assailed the judges stating it may go down as one of the worst decisions ever rendered in a heavyweight title fight. In the fight which was seen on the internet in the Philippines , Holyfield clearly landed the cleaner blows and appeared to control the tempo of the often dull fight.
The 46 year old Holyfield who was striving to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history said in a post fight interview ?I saw it the other way from the judges but I?m not disappointed by my performance.?
The promoter of the title fight had indicated he was prepared to stage a rematch.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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