WBA to investigate Valuev victory

[Chambers2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7804417.stm

The World Boxing Association (WBA) is to investigate Nikolay Valuev's victory over Evander Holyfield on 20 December.

The Russian retained his heavyweight crown with a majority points decision over the veteran American, although the result was questioned at the time.

"The Championship Committee have ordered a panel of judges to review the tape of the fight between Valuev and Holyfield," said a WBA statement.

Holyfield, 46, was bidding to become the oldest ever heavyweight champion.

He was also hoping to become the first five-time heavyweight champion, but was beaten in Zurich, Switzerland.

Two judges had the fight 116-112 and 115-114 with the other scoring it even.

"I saw it the other way from the judges but I'm not disappointed by my performance," Holyfield said after the fight.

Holyfield said he would consider his future in the sport after the defeat.

The WBA has given no specific date for a decision on their investigation only saying it will be made in "the following weeks".

[BigGar]

Well it was a pathetic fight but the scoring was miles out in my opinion!

[ArtOfWar]

F**k me, one of the sanctioning bodies is actually going to do something about a dodgy decision. It's got to be a first. We'll see if they actually follow through with it.

[Dioufy]

Freaking hell, Holyfield didn't do anything. Even though Valuev didn't do too much more, he was the slight aggressor and landed and threw more shots. Holyfield's negative style lost him that fight, of which I had it 115-113 to Valuev.

[Finch]

Freaking hell, Holyfield didn't do anything. Even though Valuev didn't do too much more, he was the slight aggressor and landed and threw more shots. Holyfield's negative style lost him that fight, of which I had it 115-113 to Valuev.

I personally thought Holyfield got his tactics spot on.

He had serious height, reach and weight dis-advantage and couldn't box Valuev with his jab, had to wait until Valuev threw shots before trying to come inside. Which he did well i thought. The fact that Valuev's work rate made Audley Harrison look like Joe Calzaghe meant that Holyfield couldn't counter often.

Interesting to see the WBA investigate this though, it may be a dangerous precedant they are setting. I don't suspect the result will be overturned as this will lead to serious problems with any fight that goes the distance in the future that is in any way close, not to mention the legal aspects of the desicions.

[My T Sharp]

Interesting to see the WBA investigate this though, it may be a dangerous precedant they are setting. I don't suspect the result will be overturned as this will lead to serious problems with any fight that goes the distance in the future that is in any way close, not to mention the legal aspects of the desicions.

Spot on

WBA should spend their time and resources investigating the chances of getting two decent Heavyweights to fight for their title.

[Dioufy]

Finch, I agree with you saying his tactics were spot on, because they were. But in some of the rounds Evander only landed one barrage of punches and didn't do nothing else. If he was a little more proactive instead of dancing around then I would've given him more rounds. I know Valuev was poor, but at least he did try to force the pace with that jab. I would love to see the punch stats for that 'fight' - I bet Valuev threw double the amount of punches Holyfield threw. I could even live with a close win for Evander, or even a draw, but I feel Valuev's better aggression, in going forward and throwing the jab just did enough to win. I honestly don't see a problem with the decision, but I am notoriously harsh with fighters who run and prance around instead of fight. It is a fight, you know, Evander.

[DG.]

Finch, I agree with you saying his tactics were spot on, because they were. But in some of the rounds Evander only landed one barrage of punches and didn't do nothing else. If he was a little more proactive instead of dancing around then I would've given him more rounds. I know Valuev was poor, but at least he did try to force the pace with that jab. I would love to see the punch stats for that 'fight' - I bet Valuev threw double the amount of punches Holyfield threw. I could even live with a close win for Evander, or even a draw, but I feel Valuev's better aggression, in going forward and throwing the jab just did enough to win. I honestly don't see a problem with the decision, but I am notoriously harsh with fighters who run and prance around instead of fight. It is a fight, you know, Evander.

What do you think of PBF and Pernell Whittaker?

IMO, Holyfield wuz robbed!

[Dioufy]

I like Floyd, because he has real talent and he can get away with running a little because he has the quality to land a sexual barrage of punches. Although I did have him losing clearly to Castillo in their first fight. I like Pernall too, for the same reasons.

[DG.]

I like Floyd, because he has real talent and he can get away with running a little because he has the quality to land a sexual barrage of punches. Although I did have him losing clearly to Castillo in their first fight. I like Pernall too, for the same reasons.

A WHAT barrage of punches?

Are you watching Boxing for the right reasons?

[gobbles]

No way should this be overturned. It was a terrible fight which most people who were there seem to think Valuev won and most people on TV thought Holyfield won.

[Dioufy]

DG, haven't my previous innuendo about HitmanHatton confirmed what you already think?

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Has a result ever been overturned in boxing?

and do sanctioning bodies actually have the power to do so?


2 questions for you, there

[steve689]

What are they going to do?

The cynic in me says a money spinning rematch for all involved, not least the WBA. Nothing like a bit of controversy to bring the pounds in.

[gobbles]

Has a result ever been overturned in boxing?

and do sanctioning bodies actually have the power to do so?


2 questions for you, there

That Soto fight got overturned by the WBC recently, the one where Cortez left that fella bleeding on the canvas for ten minutes.

[Captain Hook]

No way should this be overturned. It was a terrible fight which most people who were there seem to think Valuev won and most people on TV thought Holyfield won.

Totally agree.....the result should be scrapped and they should both be forced to retire....

Holyfield because he is way past it, and Valuev because he is crap.

[Autobarn]

Has a result ever been overturned in boxing?

and do sanctioning bodies actually have the power to do so?


2 questions for you, there

That Soto fight got overturned by the WBC recently, the one where Cortez left that fella bleeding on the canvas for ten minutes.

Good point, as it was changed from a DQ to a NC. The main thing that happened, for me, is that the WBC ordered the rematch, which Soto won the other week. Obviously they were showing Mexican bias toward Soto, but the rematch was the main issue. I think it would be good if the WBA ordered a Valuev v Holyfield rematch, so they can sort the dispute out. Sauerland refuse to give Holy a rematch, because a team member suggested the judges were paid off. The WBA could take it out of Sauer's hands, force the rematch, if they feel it is controversial, that is.

Not that anyone would want to watch it, mind.

[Matt W]

Remember after the first Lewis fight Holyfield said something along the lines that it's up to the judges to judge and their decisions should be respected. Seems he's changed his mind then....

When Foreman won the title as an OAP it was a memorable boxing moment and he showed courage in taking some serious stick for 10 rounds before landing the finisher. I would have hated for Holyfield to have removed that record with his snore-fest with one of the worst champs in history, who, let's not forget, is only champion on a 'WBAren't we useless' technicality.

[chinny]

The WBA better sort that panel of judges out with a fair supply of red bull and matchsticks