A problem has developed concerning Saturday's 168-pound WBA title fight between champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark and Andre Ward, the third bout of Showtime's Super Six Super Middleweight World Boxing Classic that is being fought at the Oracle Arena in the challenger's hometown of Oakland, Calif.At least two judges and the referee for each matchup are to be from neutral territories, in accordance with contracts signed by each of the tournament's six fighters regarding the nationalities of the officials.
But during a press conference yesterday at Oakland's City Hall, Kessler's promoter, Wilfried Sauerland, said that the referee, Jack Riesse, and at least two of the three judges selected for the fight are from California, along with South African judge, Stanley Christodoulou, according to a report by the Associated Press.
"One thing I want to point out. We will not accept [promoter Dan Goossen's] choice of judges. He has done a great job to get his fighter three fights at home, but now he has appointed three judges from California," said Sauerland, in a statement released by tournament publicists.
"Needless to say, we will not accept his friends and colleagues judging this fight," said Sauerland. "So he better start moving because it takes a while to bring in new judges."
Sauerland told the Associated Press that he believed the WBA might refuse to sanction the bout as a title fight unless the California State Athletic Commission finds judges and a referee who aren't from Ward's home state.
"The WBA has written a strong letter to the Californian commission that the choice of judges is unacceptable, but the Californian commission has been somewhat hard to reach," said Sauerland in a statement. "The WBA has been trying to contact them, sending faxes and everything. If this issue is not sorted, we can have a Super Six fight, but Mikkel´s world title will not be on the line."
Goossen denied being involved with choosing the officials for the fight.
"Our company [Goossen Tutor Promotions] has nothing to do with picking officials. Whoever the WBA and the commission appoint is what we go with. The only man I want to see walking out of the ring is the real champion without any sort of interference," said Goossen.
"I didn't think there was any problem. I didn't know if this was done in unison with the WBA. From my understanding of it, the commission has tried to reach the WBA for the last month and a half, on numerous occasions, to work with them on the officials," Goossen told FanHouse.
"But there was no response back. And then, I understand that about a week and a half ago, the commission announced who the officials were," said Goossen. "First time I heard there was a problem was [Tuesday.] Obviously, this is something that the WBA was not in contact with the commission, and the commission, obviously has the responsibility to appoint the officials."
California Commission, spokesman, Russ Heimerich, told the Associated Press that he expected "come to an understanding" with Sauerland and to resolve the issue by as early as Thursday.
"We are aware of the concerns of the promoter, and so we have been working with both the promoter and the sanctioning body to address those concerns," said Heimerich. "The process is ongoing."
The 30-year-old Kessler brings a record of 42-1, with 32 knockouts into his matchup with Ward (20-0, 13 KOs), a 2004 Olympic gold medalist.
"I've been here before, so I am loving it in California. I have thoroughly enjoyed my entire stay here, living in a nice house and training in Sacramento," said Kessler. "But now I am ready to fight. I didn't come all the way from Denmark to lose. I am fully prepared and 150 percent ready. I'm in better shape now than I've ever been."
Kessler's only loss was a decision to Joe Calzaghe in the latter's hometown of Wales, one he partially attributes to being hampered by an injury to his hand.
"I have had only one defeat, and that was to Joe Calzaghe and it still eats at me today. Even thinking about that fight makes me even more motivated. That's why I am looking at this fight as a second chance to prove that I am the best," said Kessler.
"I hurt my hand and had only two weeks to spar for Calzaghe, but there will be no mistakes or excuses after this one," said Kessler. "I may be [30 years old,] but I have a lot of fight left. Saturday night can't come soon enough."
Ward is returning to the site of his biggest victory to date, which was a decision over highly-touted Edison Miranda May.
"Saturday will be a special night for me and the city of Oakland. There was a lot of buzz before my last fight here, but there is a lot more excitement going around for this one," said Ward.
"No one expected me to win the Olympics. No one expected to me to get this far as a pro," said Ward. "But, now, if I win, it is because I'm supposed to, and if I ever lose, it's a huge thing. I'm thrilled for everybody Saturday night and really anxious for the fight to be here."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
if you have won the olympic gold medal in LHW and turn pro, you are kind of expected to become worldchamp if you turn pro. So how come thinks that nobody expected him to get a shot at the champ ?
Anyway what kind of BS it that with all those hometownjudges are they lunatics or what the F is going on.
If I were Mikkel I would say that "somethings rotten in Denmark" Thats unsportsmanlike and kind of a prearranged robbery. There is a clear contract on the officials. Fulfill the contract or cancel the fight and bill Ward for the damages incurred. Fair is fair.
Ward is a pussy having all his figths in his hometown and even wanting local judges......I am kind of disgusted, seeing americans treat a respected champ this dishonourable way.
Well come saturday it won`t matter much when Ward gest banged like never before in his life.
Trust me Mikkel is the real deal.