On March 7, the IBF received a letter from Keith Sullivan on behalf of Paddy Donovan appealing the result of the welterweight eliminator bout between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, which took place on March 1 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The referee determined Crocker the winner by disqualification in the 8th round of the scheduled 12-round contest.
Donovan’s appeal, filed under Rule 12 of the IBF Rules Governing Championship Contests, focused on alleged issues arising during the eighth round. After reviewing the bout and the circumstances leading to the disqualification, the Championships Committee met via teleconference on March 26 to evaluate the appeal. Their recommendations were based on the following findings:
- The referee acted in accordance with IBF, BBBofC, and ABC rules as the “sole arbiter” of the bout.
- The timekeeper’s “10 second warning” was inaudible on the recording.
- The referee did not close the distance between himself and the boxers before the end of the round.
- Due to crowd noise, neither the referee nor the boxers were aware the round was ending.
- The punches thrown after the bell resulted from the referee not being in an optimal position and Donovan being unable to hear the bell.
Concluding that neither the referee nor the boxers acted improperly, the IBF has ordered an immediate rematch. Negotiations must conclude by April 11, with the bout taking place within 120 days.
Is it a right decision from IBF?
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