Tszyu and Mahoney teams clash after controversial draw
After the draw in the bout between Australians Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney on the Gold Coast, a public dispute arose between representatives of their teams. The fight, which was an eliminator for the right to challenge for the IBF title in the super welterweight division, ended in a split draw after 12 rounds.
According to ABC News Australia, judge Phillip Holliday scored the fight 117-111 for Tszyu. Sabrina Kerr scored it 115-113 for Mahoney, while Carl Zappia recorded a 114-114 draw. After the result was announced, local fans supporting Mahoney booed the decision.
Mahoney does not want a rematch at a No Limit event
Mahoney said he was ready to consider a rematch with Tszyu, but did not want it to take place at a boxing event held by promotional company No Limit Boxing. He called the result difficult to accept and stressed that athletes have a lot at stake in such fights.
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Mahoney's promoter Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters said he intended to demand an official review of Holliday's scorecard. In his view, the 117-111 score in favor of Tszyu represented too large a margin.
No Limit Boxing's position
No Limit Boxing co-founder Matt Rose said the company was ready for a review of the judges' scores. At the same time, he disagreed with the 115-113 score in favor of Mahoney and said that reviewing it would, in his opinion, mean a Tszyu victory.
Rose also rejected complaints about the organization of the fight, stressing that judging does not depend on the promotional company. Tszyu and Mahoney themselves showed mutual respect after the bout. Tszyu initially acknowledged Mahoney as the better boxer, but later explained at a press conference that he had expressed disappointment with his own insufficiently convincing performance.
