Juan Carlos Burgos to demand rematch
Bad judging in boxing has become almost as common as the home run during the height of the steroids era in baseball.
There was another controversial decision during Saturday night’s triple header on HBO.
Juan Carlos Burgos and Roman Martinez fought to a draw in a WBO Super featherweight title fight at MSG on Saturday night.
Burgos, according to most media members and HBO’s broadcast team, won the fight handily. But the judges had three different outcomes. Judge Waleska Roldan scored it 117-111 in favor of Burgos, Tony Paolillo had it 116-112 for Martinez, while John Signorile judged it 114-114.
The judges had nine combined fights between them. It was the first for Signorile, which prompted many to question why three inexperienced judges would be apart of the same title fight.
Burgos dominated the official fight stats, landing 286 punches, compared to just 193 for Martinez. Burgos also held a huge advantage in power shots landed (234-164).
Burgos’ promoters are demanding an immediate rematch and will petitioned the WBO to order one. "Juan Carlos won that fight hands down and this week we will file for an immediate rematch", said Arthur Pelullo, CEO of Banner Promotions.
Thompson Boxing Promotions boss Alex Camponovo also vented his disgust with the scoring.
"The draw left Juan Carlos Burgos completely dejected and angry. We all felt the same way as his dream of becoming a champion turned into a New York nightmare," Camponovo said. "We hope the WBO does not punish a young man who has given everything to his craft since the age of 10 and joined the pros when he was 16 years old."
A sanctioning body ordering a rematch is not unheard of and if there is enough of an uproar, Burgos and Martinez could tangle again.
"An immediate rematch should be the only solution to a poor ending," Camponovo added. "And I think Martinez's people and the champion himself know deep down that he did not do enough to retain the belt."