The World Boxing Council has vowed to investigate the controversial championship fight between Filipino boxer Randy Petalcorin and Australia-based Tanzanian Omari Kimweri, which took place last Friday in Kimweri?s hometown of Melbourne, Australia.
The WBC silver flyweight championship fight ended in a controversy as Kimweri was awarded a split decision despite being knocked down four times by Petalcorin. Referee Malcolm Bulner, who like all 3 of the judges is from Melbourne, did not credit Petalcorin for the knockdowns.
Petalcorin?s co-managers Jim Claude Manangquil and Peter Maniatis have complied with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman?s request to send the full fight video after highlights of the missed knockdowns went viral on social media.
?This is horrible for boxing. This is killing the sport that we love and also hurts the boxers who work hard,? Manangquil said of the controversy. Petalcorin?s handlers are seeking to have the decision overturned, as proper officiating would have resulted in a decision victory for Petalcorin had the knockdowns been scored.
Kimweri?s promoter Brian Amatruda has been defiant on social media, proclaiming ?the decision will not get overturned? despite the fight currently being under review.
The 24-year-old Davao City native Petalcorin (23-2-1, 18 KOs) relinquished his WBA interim junior flyweight title to fight for the WBC title. (PR)
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