Robbery in San Diego

By Romuel Alarcon

A World Boxing Title fight comes ones in a lifetime. With the age catching up with our top notch 130 pounder, Charly Suarez there is no tomorrow. The opportunity of a World title fight against Mexico’s Immanuel Navarette cannot be set aside. Charly Suarez was all out in his preparation with his coach Delfin Boholst at the helm. 

Last May 11, in Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California a great robbery took place. 

A controversial technical decision was handed by referee Edward Collantes, he ruled that the cut was caused by a headbutt. With the advent of technology, errors and mistakes by referees can be minimized or totally eradicated by consulting the replay. To rectify things, a referee if he is in doubt, should automatically consult the replay. 

 The ring Physican Dr. Robert Ruelaz will just see the status of the cut if the boxer is capable of continuing or not. But because the cut was critical, it was stopped. So, they went to the scored sheet. The scores indicated 78-75, and two 77-76 all in favor of Immanuel Navarette. 

If it was a headbutt, the aggravated party should be Charly Suarez because, when they clashed heads, Charly was atop and Navarette was at the bottom. It is impossible that the cut was caused by a headbutt. It was very clear in the replay that the cut in Immanuel Navarette’s eye was a legitimate blow. It was never a headbutt. In a replay, on the 15 cameras’ being used, one angle shows how Charly’s punch hit the mark in Navarette’s eye. Blood was flowing in Immanuel eye right after the legitimate blow. 

Although the California State Athletic Commission replay official Jack Reiss finds no definitive evidence that it was a headbutt. 

The controversial technical decision  prevails, to save Immanuel Navarette from the claws of defeat. To our Charly Suarez, denying a legitimate blow to win a World Boxing Crown is taking away what is his. 

It is about time that the World Boxing Bodies should start reviewing some rules in a boxing match. A highly controversial decision should not reflect as a defeat but as a no contest, so not to destroy the boxing record of both boxers. 

 The offended party should have the right to contest the decision of the referee, right then and there.   

Just like in Basketball, Volleyball, Football or Lawn Tennis controversial calls can be contested. This will save the sports of boxing.