Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 15, 1993 TAG: 9309150172
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder Tribune
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA LENGTH: Medium
In the latest twist to the controversial draw in the Pernell "Sweetpea" Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez match on Friday in San Antonio, the Whitaker camp Tuesday filed a protest with the Texas Athletic Commission, seeking to get the decision changed to a victory for the World Boxing Council welterweight champion.
The protest arose after Mickey Vann, the judge from England, was quoted in a London newspaper as saying he took it upon himself to deduct a point from Whitaker for a low blow in the sixth round.
Referee Joe Cortez, who did not penalize the champion for the infraction, was the only man with the authority to make that judgment.
"The referee did not issue a warning, but I took the point from him, anyway," Vann was quoted as saying in the Monday issue of the London Daily Star.
Dan Duva, who promotes the champion, said he spoke to an official with the British Board of Boxing, who told the promoter that Vann would be admonished for violating the rule prohibiting British judges from talking to the media.
"That's all he told me," Duva said.
Rick Valdes, a member of the Texas Athletic Commission, said Tuesday that Vann told him he never made those comments to British reporters.
"I want an investigation, anyway," Duva said. "You can't take the guy's word for it. You have to check the reporter's tape recorder or his notes. If the judge is found to have deducted a point from Pernell, we want that point - and the victory that would go with it - to be awarded to Pernell."
The fight was the most eagerly anticipated matchup in years, a battle between two of the greatest fighters in the world, and the controversial decision marred all the hype and build-up.
"I thought the whole decision was outrageous," Duva said. "But we wouldn't have protested on that basis, because you can't fight a subjective opinion just because you disagree with it."
Vann and fellow judge Franz Marti scored the match 115-115, while Jack Woodruff had it 115-113 for Whitaker - a draw that outraged both Whitaker and most ringside observers.
"If a mistake was made, I think it should be cleared up," Whitaker said Tuesday. "I'm not whining about it, and I'm not looking backward, because I feel I won the fight. But if a mistake was made, make it right."
Rival promoter Bob Arum jumped on the bandwagon Tuesday, calling for a ban of WBC officials, if not WBC fights, in the state of Nevada.
"WBC fights could be held there, but their official would not be allowed to have any input or control," Arum said. "If the fight had been closer, there wouldn't be a lot of room for criticism. The reason the decision smells so badly is that it was a one-sided fight. It was completely egregious."
As for Whitaker, he seemed philosophical about the controversy.
"I feel like throwing my WBC belt as far as I can throw it," he said. "I don't think I should have to fight with judges - or a referee, for that matter. Let the fans decide."
by CNB