A deluge of boxing fans here and in the United States have thrown their support to the online petition initiated by boxingconfidential.com assistant editor Richard Lois requesting the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) to investigate the performance of David Watson as a ringside physician.
In less than 24 hours, over 500 concerned individuals strongly backed up the move of Lois, who spearheaded the online appeal after receiving several e-mails in support of his recent column outlining Watson’s performance in last Sunday’s brutal ring war between Australian Michael Katsidis and Filipino Czar Amonsot in Las Vegas.
At the end of the 12-round bout at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Katsidis’ face was a disfigured mess but banked on two knockdowns and great will power to defeat the Boholano braveheart Amonsot by unanimous decision to stay unbeaten and retain his WBO interim lightweight crown. Katsidis needed 26 stitches to close the cuts.
But Lois questioned the decision of Watson in allowing Katsidis to continue fighting with three cuts on his left eye and one cut on his right eye.
“While we are fans of a violent sport, we can ask for improper officials to be investigated and trained in the proper procedures that should be followed within the ring,” said Lois.
In his previous article entitled “Doctor David Watson Sets Dangerous Precedent in Katsidis’ Bloody Saturday Night Victory” dated July 23, Lois said: “I have never attended medical school and I barely passed high school anatomy, but it does not take an expert to question ringside doctor David Watson for allowing Katsidis to continue with four gruesome cuts.”
“Katsidis was aggressive and winning the fight on the score cards, but it was clear that he could not see Amonsot’s right hands due to the extensive damage to his left eye. That fact alone put Katsidis in a situation where he could be severely injured,” he continued.
Lois noted that this is not the first time Watson’s decisions were under fire. The first was when he allowed Fernando Vargas to continue fighting with severe swelling over the left eye in Vargas’ first title match against Shane Mosley some years back.
Here is Lois’ online petition that can also be viewed by logging on at http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/DrWatsonReview: Investigate Dr. David Watson’s Performance As A Ringside Doctor!
