Ossie Duran Files Protest Over Brandon Gonzales Loss

By Keith Idec

An attorney for veteran middleweight Ossie Duran has officially filed a protest on his behalf with New Jersey’s State Athletic Control Board.

Duran is protesting his televised eight-round, split-decision defeat to unbeaten Brandon Gonzales last Friday night in Atlantic City.

The 34-year-old Duran won the fight on the scorecard of judge George Hill, who had him ahead, 78-74. The other two judges, Julie Lederman and John McKaie, scored the fight for Gonzales, 77-75.

“We feel Ossie didn’t get a well-deserved decision,” said Vinny LaManna, an adviser to Duran. “We just want the [State Athletic Control Board] to look at all things. Sitting ringside, we thought Ossie won six rounds to two, no question.”

There weren’t any knockdowns during the competitive bout, which was broadcast by Showtime, and there were several close rounds that seemingly could’ve been scored for either fighter.

Gonzales, a Sacramento-based boxer who serves as Andre Ward’s primary sparring partner, improved to 15-0. Duran (26-9-2, 10 KOs), of Paterson, N.J., couldn’t believe he wasn’t the winner.

“Everybody knew I won the fight,” Duran said after the fight. “I don’t know what these people want me to do. This guy’s young, and he’s a prospect. But you could see that I won the fight with my experience. I won the fight clearly. That split-decision should’ve come to me. It shouldn’t have gone his way.”

The State Athletic Control Board, which regulates boxing in New Jersey, will review Duran’s protest at its next meeting, which has not yet been scheduled.

Keith Idec covers boxing for the Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com.