Thursday, August 12, 2021

WBA Orders Immediate Fox-Maestre Rematch; Judge Martinez Rizzo Under Suspension!

The fallout from the Saturday, August 7th bout between Upper Marlboro, MD welterweight Mykal "The Professor" Fox and Venezuelan Gabriel Maestre is coming fast and furious.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) has called for an immediate rematch of the bout that was held in Minneapolis, MN.  Fox lost a widely-disputed 12-round unanimous decision despite knocking down Maestre in the second round.  The bout was televised by Fox TV.  Judges David Singh (114-113), John Mariano (115-112) and Gloria Martinez-Rizzo (117-110) all scored the bout for Maestre despite Fox's brilliant performance on that evening.  The interim WBA Welterweight title was on the line and that prompted Fox's promoter, Marshall Kauffman of Kings Promotions, to ask the WBA for the immediate rematch.

However, the WBA, according to their rules, has conditions for ordering a rematch.  

Per WBA rule C.26 covering contested decisions in championship contests, “a bout decision may be contested by a boxer if within ten (10) days of the decision the boxer submits payment of a $10,000.00 fee, and the following:

a)     A concise statement by the boxer or his authorized agent setting forth the grounds on which the challenge has been brought, arguments and authority in support, and identification of other persons with a material interest likely to be affected by a decision on the challenge.

b)     For the person filing the challenge, the following information: • A postal address; • An email address (if one exists); • A facsimile address; • A telephone number; and • A signature of the boxer on whose behalf the challenge is filed.

c)     If the challenge is signed by someone other than a boxer, a certified statement of authorization by the boxer to file the challenge.

“For good cause, the President may waive all or part of the fee. The fee must be paid by certified or cashier’s check or wire transfer, and will not be set off against any amount claimed due by the party contesting the decisions. The Committee may request that the International Officials Committee, or a special officials committee, evaluate the fight and give their opinion and recommendations to the Committee. The Championship Committee, in its sole discretion, may order the boxers fight a rematch. Failure to timely pay the fee or contest the decision shall waive any and all right, claim, or argument of the boxer or his representatives to contest a decision.

According to BoxingScene.com, The WBA is also saying the outcome of the bout will be under an independent investigation and all three judges will be interviewed separately.

Meanwhile, one of the judges is already under fire. ESPN.com is reporting that Gloria Martinez Rizzo, the judge who had the outrageous 117-110 score, has been suspended by the WBA for six months. WBA President Gilberto Mendoza told ESPN that Rizzo is under suspension not only for her controversial scorecard on August 7th but for racist tweets that were uncovered on a since-deleted account connected to her.

Mendoza told ESPN that he will meet with Rizzo on Thursday to discuss discipline and possible permanent expulsion from judging any bouts sanctioned by the WBA.  

After the bout, tweets from 2020 were discovered on Rizzo's now-deleted account that were racist in nature, including tweets about Michelle Obama and LeBron James.  Also, Rizzo is married to someone who has had close ties with the WBA.

"We saw her score was wrong despite the unanimous decision," said Mendoza, who was born in Venezuela, where the WBA is based. "Those comments she made in the past -- she might be expelled by the WBA.

"I don't support any kind of racism. I believe in equality...Sports are the only thing that brings equality into the world sometimes."

Also, Maestre, a two-time Venezuelan Olympian, has close ties with Mendoza, who is also from Venezuela.

ESPN asked for a response from the Minnesota Office of Combative Sports concerning whether the result of the bout would be overturned or whether the scoring would be reviewed.  The commission gave no comment but issued a statement saying, "The Minnesota Office of Combative Sports has a grievance procedure. However, it is ultimately up to the World Boxing Association to determine if there is a rematch."

Mendoza ordered an immediate rematch between Maestre and Fox but added a few stipulations. Mendoza told ESPN that there will be no champion's advantage; if there is a draw, the title will be vacated. And there will be no special permits to allow an interim fight. Premier Boxing Champions was hoping to match fast-rising prospect Eimantas Stanionis (who fought to a no-contest against Luis Collazo on the same card as Fox-Maestre) against Maestre next, sources said. If for some reason the rematch doesn't take place next, the title will be in abeyance.

"We need to get new judges," Mendoza said. "I have a concept of making an academy and bringing people who like boxing to online courses and test them in different parts of the world. I want to step away from the boxing circle and find fans who like boxing [to become judges]."




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