Famed Florida referee Brian Garry has harsh comments on the officiating in Saturday’s SHOWTIME-televised Bantamweight Tournament Final between Abner Mares and King Kong Agbeko. In comments directed to the Nevada Boxing Commission, Garry wrote
“Some can. Some can’t. As a professional world class boxing referee for 25 years inside the square circle, I was very displeased to watch Russell Mora’s inept ability to ‘make the call’ on Saturday night.
“He was in the right positions to see the blows, especially the low blow in the 11th, that possibly cost Joseph Agbeka the bout. What compounded his lack of making the right call, was his post fight denial, after viewing the re-play, of his decision? That shows us, that he is either corrupt and refused to be fair in his ‘third man’ assignment. Or, he is incompetent while under pressure to do the right job. I witnessed, in disbelief, an official refusing to call the obvious fouls being committed by Mares over and over again.
“Yes there were the legal blows, where only a part of the glove, is in the above the belt zone, as if half of the glove is slightly below. These are considered ‘on the belt line’ but not below, and legal according to the rules under the Uniform Rules of Boxing now being used worldwide.
“As I understand it, this ‘ref’ had a serious problem earlier in the year in the Montiel bout, allowing the already ‘downed’ fighter and definitely ‘concussed’ to take on additional blows.
“Like in the NFL, All refs and judges, need to be post-fight critiqued by their respective commissions, and sanctioning body, to insure top quality performances moving forward. If needed re-schooling/training is needed, then so be it.
“But in the name of God, stop assigning those who can’t consistently, under pressure, perform. It is killing the sport, as the fans see and watch in disbelief, as these un-fair officials, continue getting assignments. Same old ‘good old boy’ system being used. Instead of appointing the very best qualified officials.
“As I started off saying: ‘Some can. Some can’t.’ Being a nice guy or great person does Not qualify you as a boxing official. Ability does.
“Good judgement is what they pay us for.”
Your Third Man in the Ring,
Brian Garry
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