The British Boxing Board of Control has decided not to discipline referee Mark Bates following the controversial heavyweight clash between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder at the O2 Arena in London. The encounter, which took place under BBBoC regulations, provoked significant backlash regarding Bates’ officiating during the bout.
Post-Fight Reactions to Officiating
Deontay Wilder, the fight’s winner, voiced his frustrations during the post-fight press conference. He claimed that Chisora had struck him in the back of the head multiple times, stating, “10-12 times.” Wilder called for disciplinary action against Bates, expressing concern for future matches. “That referee shouldn’t be allowed to ref again,” he stated.
Response from the British Boxing Board
Robert Smith, the general secretary of the BBBoC, defended Bates’ performance. He noted that the board had no intention of taking action against the referee after reviewing his handling of a challenging match. A routine board meeting is scheduled to discuss all recent fights, but Smith assured that Bates managed the contest appropriately.
Controversial Moments in the Fight
One of the defining controversies occurred in the first round. Both fighters were entangled on the ropes, trading punches, when a member of Chisora’s corner, Alexis Demetriades, entered the ring. According to boxing regulations, this should have led to an immediate disqualification. However, Bates opted to remind Demetriades of proper conduct, allowing the fight to proceed.
- Chisora’s corner intervention could have led to disqualification.
- A second breach would have firmly resulted in disqualification.
Manager’s Critique of Referee Decisions
Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, highlighted several key errors made by Bates that he believes affected the fight’s outcome. Among his criticisms were:
- Automatic disqualification if a corner enters the ring.
- Rules regarding assistance from a corner after being knocked out of the ring.
- Provision for an eight-count if a fighter grabs the ropes after being hit.
- Referee’s discretion for point deductions when a punch lands after the bell.
- Interference protocol if a fighter shows signs of injury.
Despite the scrutiny, Wilder emerged victorious with a split decision, a result Finkel acknowledged was essential to prevent a perceived robbery against his fighter.
