The performances of Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora were praised and criticized in equal measure following their chaotic and occasionally exciting heavyweight 12-rounder on Saturday night, won eventually by the former via split decision. Yet it was universally perceived to be a bad night for the third man in the ring at London, England’s O2 Arena; the referee Mark Bates.
It had been reported that Bates would face no action from the British Boxing Board of Control but the General Secretary, Robert Smith, on Wednesday told BoxingScene that wasn’t necessarily true. There will be a review of the fight at Wednesday’s board meeting where the performance of Bates will be discussed.
“We’re certainly going to look carefully at it,” said Smith. “In situations like this there will always be a review. Once it’s reviewed, a decision is then made if further action is required.”
Bates came under fire for several incidents. The first one came early in the bout and set the tone. Wilder and Chisora became entwined on the ropes and neither, despite being instructed to stop grappling by Bates, was willing to let go. The official then tried and failed to separate the heavyweights, who weighed a cumulative 494lbs, before Chisora’s corner man Alexis Demetriades entered the ring. Had Bates applied the rules to the letter, Chisora would have been disqualified.
In certain situations, however, referees are encouraged to use their discretion. Given the magnitude of the contest, how many fans had paid to watch – both at home and in the arena – and what was at stake for both boxers, Bates’ decision to let the fight go on could potentially be justified. And had that been the only incident, it would likely have been forgotten.
But there were more to come. Most notably in the eighth round when Chisora fell through the ropes and appeared to be helped back upright by his corner.
“The initial reaction [when a fighter is falling towards you] is always to put your hands up,” said Smith, who was ringside on Saturday night. “They certainly stopped him from going through the ropes and falling to the ground... We will be looking at it.”
Both were guilty of hitting to the back of the head, too, with Wilder claiming he was tagged illegally “10-12 times”. Only Wilder was punished for any infringements; he lost a point in that eighth session for pushing. There were also complaints from Team Wilder about hitting after the bell, Chisora granting himself a break by complaining about pain in his eye and the British veteran not getting an eight-count after grabbing the rope to stay upright.
“It was a rough-and-ready fight, and it was a very difficult fight to referee,” Smith said. “It will all be reviewed.”
