Robson Conceicao (left) received a extremely controversial break up determination over O’Shaquie Foster on July 6. (Photograph by Mikey WIliams-High Rank)
The highlight was on the 135-pound division this previous Saturday, nevertheless it was a 130-pound title bout that involved the Ring Rankings Panel.
O’Shaquie Foster appeared to obviously outbox three-time title challenger Robson Conceicao over 12 rounds within the co-main occasion of a High Rank card in Newark, N.J., however two of the official judges (Tony Lundy and Paul Wallace) awarded the Olympic gold medalist a really controversial break up determination for his largely ineffective aggression all through the pedestrian bout, which was a part of an ESPN broadcast.
Scores had been 116-112 (Lundy) and 115-113 (Wallace) for the 35-year-old Brazilian, and 116-112 (Ron McNair) for the 30-year-old Texan, who was making the third protection of his WBC belt. Most observers agreed with McNair’s tally, or had it extra one-sided in favor of Foster (22-3, 12 KOs), who entered the bout as The Ring’s No. 2-ranked junior light-weight. Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 8-ranked junior light-weight.
Conceicao was the aggressor in opposition to Foster however solely seldom was it efficient. (Photograph by Mikey WIliams-High Rank)
Within the High Rank foremost occasion, Shakur Stevenson, The Ring’s No. 4-rated light-weight, defended his WBC strap with a clearcut unanimous determination over German fringe contender Artem Harutyunyan. The bout’s lack of motion elicited criticism from ESPN’s broadcasters, largely aimed toward Stevenson’s cautious efficiency, which continued to be ripped by followers, pundits and even a few of the fighter’s friends on social media (partly as a result of the 27-year-old uber-talent continues to be thin-skinned and salty about any criticism).
On the undercard, Keyshawn Davis handed a bodily take a look at with flying colours, going 10 laborious rounds with hard-nosed Mexican brawler Miguel Madueno, who entered the bout with a gaudy 31-2 (28 KOs) file and a rough-him-up angle. Davis (11-0, 7 KOs), who entered the bout as The Ring’s No. 8-rated light-weight, dealt with the aggression and received by unanimous scores of 99-91.
On the opposite aspect of the nation, on a Golden Boy Promotions/DAZN headliner in Ontario, California, William Zepeda, The Ring’s No. 3-rated light-weight, remained undefeated with a third-round stoppage of awkward fringe contender Giovanni Cabrera whose solely earlier loss was a break up determination to Isaac Cruz final July. Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) dropped the opening spherical to Cabrera (22-2, 7 KOs) however quickly overwhelmed the gutsy underdog together with his signature stress, quantity punching and physique assault.
The William Zepeda practice rolled on together with his twenty seventh KO vs. gutsy however outgunned Giovanni Cabera. Photograph by Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions
Zepeda and Stevenson held their rankings (given each had been large favorites to win), whereas the lesser-experienced Davis superior one spot. However what to do with Foster, who ought to have had his hand raised? What to do with Conceicao who acquired the official win however shouldn’t have?
“Foster misplaced his WBC title to Conceicao in extremely controversial trend,” stated Anson Wainwright. “This might be a type of events the place we don’t drop Foster. Maybe we maintain him at No. 2 and transfer Conceicao up, thus exhibiting we don’t agree with the choice but in addition acknowledge the official determination?”
That suggestion wasn’t sufficient for almost all of the panel, who didn’t wish to reward Conceicao for a victory he didn’t actually earn.
“I agree on no motion for Foster,” stated Jake Donovan. “Strongly disagree on Conceicao; if something he ought to transfer down. Unsure why we’d elevate him on a call so unhealthy even informal followers are calling out the game.”
Added Adam Abramowitz: “I’d invoke our ‘theft clause’ for Foster-Conceicao. Conceicao didn’t win that combat. And I wouldn’t transfer him up both.”
Abraham Gonzalez, Michael Montero and Diego Morilla agreed that Conceicao shouldn’t be moved up and Foster shouldn’t drop.
Added Tom Grey: “We don’t recognise the official determination as a result of it was a bag of bullshit. The one method to discourage ineptitude is to dismiss it fully.
“It’s not Robson’s fault, however he shouldn’t be a world champion and that’s the tip of it. The ‘win is a win’ stuff is a whole cop out.
“Each keep put.”
The Scotsman has spoken.
RING RATINGS UPDATE (as of July 6):
LIGHTWEIGHT – William Zepeda stays at No. 3. Shakur Stevenson stays at No. 4. Keyshawn Davis advances to No. 7.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT – O’Shaquie Foster stays at No. 2. Robson Conceicao stays at No. 8.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT – Fernando Martinez advances to No. 1 after scoring split-decision over Kazuto Ioka, who drops to No. 3.
“I agree on Puma (being superior),” famous Donovan. “I can reside with Ioka remaining one spot behind Estrada, although I assumed the combat was 115-113 both means (I had Ioka however can see Puma profitable). (Official) scores had been terrible.”
FLYWEIGHT – Ricardo Sandoval stays at No. 6 after stopping Angel Acosta within the tenth spherical.
“Sandoval scored a extremely questionable stoppage over Acosta in Spherical 10. He stays the place he’s,” famous Wainwright.
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT – Daniel Matellon exits attributable to inactivity. Shokichi Iwata, contemporary off a sixth-round stoppage of Jahzeel Trinidad, stays at No. 8 however strikes as much as No. 7 on attrition. Former title challenger Regie Suganob (15-1, 5 KOs) enters at No. 10.
