Worst refereeing I have seen in years (spoiler)

[whiskey]

Don King is Agbeko's promoter. You've got to see the irony in that.

Strangely King didn't show at the fight, citing a bad back a couple of hours before he should have arrived.

Perhaps Mora was expecting a delivery of sorts. Or the fix was against his own man.

Either way, for an armchair fan to spot what a trained professional referee couldn't from 3 feet away, well that's a slip up the first time... but we're talking something like 18 low blows on the spin.

Perhaps we can make a case for Mora by saying that he rules any shot around, or slightly below the belt line to be a legal punch? well the following details expose that approach too :-

Michael Katsidis was docked points TWICE for perceived low blows against Robert Guerrero.
Anthony Peterson disqualified in 7th round for low blow against Brandon Rios.

Guess who was the referee in both of the above ? yup none other than Russell Mora.

That guy was on the payroll no shadow of a doubt folks.

[Deno1986]

Don King is Agbeko's promoter. You've got to see the irony in that.

Strangely King didn't show at the fight, citing a bad back a couple of hours before he should have arrived.

Perhaps Mora was expecting a delivery of sorts. Or the fix was against his own man.

Either way, for an armchair fan to spot what a trained professional referee couldn't from 3 feet away, well that's a slip up the first time... but we're talking something like 18 low blows on the spin.

Perhaps we can make a case for Mora by saying that he rules any shot around, or slightly below the belt line to be a legal punch? well the following details expose that approach too :-

Michael Katsidis was docked points TWICE for perceived low blows against Robert Guerrero.
Anthony Peterson disqualified in 7th round for low blow against Brandon Rios.

Guess who was the referee in both of the above ? yup none other than Russell Mora.

That guy was on the payroll no shadow of a doubt folks.

Plus the fact that both Mora and Mares, like Rios and Guerrero have Mexican blood makes it a bit more fishy. He is corrupt in my opinion whether it be for extra cash or favourtism towards Mexican-American fighters. A ref should be the most neutral man in the arena.

Regarding his perceived perception of the belt line, it is clear he points to no lower than the top half of the belt when he was giving his pre fight instructions.

[jamesmcdonnell]

It would seem a clear case of a 'house referee' it happens unfortunately all over the world.

Having an 'on side' referee is the easiest way to influence the outcome of a fight. It effectively means they can control the points by denying knockdowns, and warning a fighter to stop them imposing their style.

I also believe this happened to a degree with Cortez and Hatton. Cortez effectively prevented hatton from working on the inside, whilst allowing Mayweather to flagrantly foul with the elbow with no penalty. I think in Cortez' case, he was just biased towards the fighter whose style he preferred, and is a naturally interfering ref, who views inside work as being outside the rules of the game - which it isn't. He was instrumental in preventing Ruiz imposing his style on Jones Jr too, had Ruiz been allowed his usual mauling, he would probably have outmuscled and worn jones down to win.

[whiskey]

It would seem a clear case of a 'house referee' it happens unfortunately all over the world.

Having an 'on side' referee is the easiest way to influence the outcome of a fight. It effectively means they can control the points by denying knockdowns, and warning a fighter to stop them imposing their style.

I also believe this happened to a degree with Cortez and Hatton. Cortez effectively prevented hatton from working on the inside, whilst allowing Mayweather to flagrantly foul with the elbow with no penalty. I think in Cortez' case, he was just biased towards the fighter whose style he preferred, and is a naturally interfering ref, who views inside work as being outside the rules of the game - which it isn't. He was instrumental in preventing Ruiz imposing his style on Jones Jr too, had Ruiz been allowed his usual mauling, he would probably have outmuscled and worn jones down to win.

Yeah agreed. Although Cortez ref'd the Castillo fight without any objection to Hatton's style.

For me the bald b*stard robbed us of what could have been an exciting fight.

Not saying Hatton would have won, but the show was tedious on account of Cortez getting involved 25-30 times per round.

[crusader]

The IBF has ordered a rematch and it must occur within the next 120 days.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/ibf-ord ... atch-92697

[allahsnackbar]

It would seem a clear case of a 'house referee' it happens unfortunately all over the world.

Having an 'on side' referee is the easiest way to influence the outcome of a fight. It effectively means they can control the points by denying knockdowns, and warning a fighter to stop them imposing their style.

I also believe this happened to a degree with Cortez and Hatton. Cortez effectively prevented hatton from working on the inside, whilst allowing Mayweather to flagrantly foul with the elbow with no penalty. I think in Cortez' case, he was just biased towards the fighter whose style he preferred, and is a naturally interfering ref, who views inside work as being outside the rules of the game - which it isn't. He was instrumental in preventing Ruiz imposing his style on Jones Jr too, had Ruiz been allowed his usual mauling, he would probably have outmuscled and worn jones down to win.

Cortez had no effect on the outcome of the ruiz jones or floyd hatton fights.

Floyd went on the inside and beat hatton at his own game.

[Final round]

The ref Mora has been let off with a caution..

[whiskey]

I dont think a rematch is that fair.

The fact they've ordered a rematch admits there was a massive problem with the officiating - and thus they should rule it a NC and give Agbeko his belt back to defend again.

He shouldn't have a loss chalked on his record in this manner.

Obviously because he's a "lowly African visitor" in the American boxing commission's eyes they don't give a stuff about the guy which is wrong. I'd have thought Don King would have had come out and given a press statement on the farce - but then he'd look like a hypocrite wouldn't he.

[Counter-puncher]

I’ve watched it twice now & wonder if Mora dug his heels in. He surely heard the squeaky commentary voices imploring him to up his game, the crowd also got on his back and Agneko also & it looked to me that he thought, ‘eff yous all, I’m reffing this one & will do it my way’, and got locked into that stubborn mindset that people often mistake for strength of character rather than childlike petulance.

good call. reminded me of Wenger not buying a centre half or goalkeeper

[Shirow]

I dont think a rematch is that fair.

The fact they've ordered a rematch admits there was a massive problem with the officiating - and thus they should rule it a NC and give Agbeko his belt back to defend again.

He shouldn't have a loss chalked on his record in this manner.

Obviously because he's a "lowly African visitor" in the American boxing commission's eyes they don't give a stuff about the guy which is wrong. I'd have thought Don King would have had come out and given a press statement on the farce - but then he'd look like a hypocrite wouldn't he.

The IBF have stated that the reason for the rematch is because the officiating affected the outcome so it should be a no contest but wouldn't the commission have the decision on that? Hopefully they are being lobbied as this would be the fairest thing.

[jamesmcdonnell]

It would seem a clear case of a 'house referee' it happens unfortunately all over the world.

Having an 'on side' referee is the easiest way to influence the outcome of a fight. It effectively means they can control the points by denying knockdowns, and warning a fighter to stop them imposing their style.

I also believe this happened to a degree with Cortez and Hatton. Cortez effectively prevented hatton from working on the inside, whilst allowing Mayweather to flagrantly foul with the elbow with no penalty. I think in Cortez' case, he was just biased towards the fighter whose style he preferred, and is a naturally interfering ref, who views inside work as being outside the rules of the game - which it isn't. He was instrumental in preventing Ruiz imposing his style on Jones Jr too, had Ruiz been allowed his usual mauling, he would probably have outmuscled and worn jones down to win.

Yeah agreed. Although Cortez ref'd the Castillo fight without any objection to Hatton's style.

For me the bald b*stard robbed us of what could have been an exciting fight.

Not saying Hatton would have won, but the show was tedious on account of Cortez getting involved 25-30 times per round.

I reckon Mayweather would have won anyway, however, I think Hatton would have given Floyd a lot more problems.

Floyds use of the elbow was flagrant, and frankly dangerous, he should have been docked points for it. He also dipped below the waist on numerous ocassions, which is also not allowed. Had he been docked points for either of these infringements, he wouldn't have been able to continue to do it with impugnity, which in turn would have allowed Hatton to get closer.

I believe that Cortez is an honest man, I think he was just starstruck by Mayweather, and also allowed his preference for fighting styles to sway his adjudication.

[oliverfennell]

Just watched the Mares v Agbeko fight, and the referee Russell Mora missed over 20 blatant low blows by Mares, he even called a full bloodied low blow a knockdown against Agbeko in the 11th.

What made it worse was he kept warning Agbeko for pulling the head of Mares down , I have never seen such inept reffing for years.

Mares won on points, but the amount of low blows landed should of cost him at least 2 points, the only shining light from the fight was the fact that Agbeko hardly complained about having his balls punched all night, the ref would of probably DQ'd him if he had.

Russell Mora shouldn't ref a title fight ever again.

Mora even said in an interview that he thought all the punches were fair punches. Disgusting

Worse that Tilman?

About the same. But both were trumped by the guy who reffed Danny Williams v Airich

[oliverfennell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsMO1uv82Fc

Mora's interview from 3:45 on.

Well done Jim Grey, I'd like to buy that man a drink.

x2 some of the boys from Sky could take a leaf out of that book.

British refs are not allowed to grant interviews or discuss their decisions with the press or public.

[jonny]

x2 some of the boys from Sky could take a leaf out of that book.

British refs are not allowed to grant interviews or discuss their decisions with the press or public.

Really? I didn't know that was an official thang.
Should get rid of that really.

A good thing really, they have to answere to the board first and formost not the press and then with board permission they can speak to the media