BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom has voiced his astonishment after the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) mandated an immediate rematch between heavyweights David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV.
The Board`s decision followed just days after Adeleye, whose record stands at 14-1 with 13 knockouts, secured the British heavyweight title in a highly disputed contest earlier in the month.
The controversy arose in the sixth round when, during a clinch, referee Ron Kearney instructed `break` and then physically pulled TKV`s glove, which the fighter likely interpreted as a signal to disengage safely.
Seizing the moment, Adeleye landed a quick left hook on his seemingly vulnerable opponent`s chin before concluding the fight shortly thereafter.
Since the contentious bout, clarification has emerged regarding the distinction between a referee calling `break` and commanding `stop boxing.`
A `break` necessitates fighters separating from a clinch while still upholding the fundamental rule of boxing: Always protect yourself.
However, there remains a lack of clarity concerning Kearney`s specific action of interfering with TKV`s glove immediately after issuing the `break` command.
Consequently, the referee`s handling of the situation has certainly raised significant questions, particularly regarding his competence as an official.
Despite Kearney reportedly not yet facing the BBBofC to explain his actions, there appear to be no direct repercussions for his widely criticized mistake.
Instead of penalizing Kearney or overturning the outcome to a no-contest, the Board simply ordered a rematch between Adeleye and TKV (8-2, 5 KOs), with the process for purse bids scheduled for May 14.
As TKV`s promoter, Shalom is profoundly taken aback, questioning the logic behind his fighter being left with a second loss on his professional record.
In a discussion with Boxing News` Andi Purewal, Shalom stated: “If you`re admitting that there was a mistake, and you`re ordering a rematch, and you`re calling in the referee, how on earth are you letting the result stand?”
“From everything that I’ve been told,” he continued, “the Board has ordered the rematch and they’re allowing the result to stand, which is remarkable.”
“We know that it was a foul; we know, really, that it was technically a disqualification; we know it should’ve been a no-contest at the very least, so why not just make the brave decision to declare it as such?”
