By Keith Idec
Kenichi Ogawa’s win against Tevin Farmer became even more suspicious Thursday.
Ogawa’s win was already considered controversial because Farmer out-boxed him, only to lose a 12-round split decision December 9 in Las Vegas. The Nevada State Athletic Commission revealed Thursday during its monthly meeting that Ogawa, who won the then-vacant IBF super featherweight title by defeating Farmer, has been suspended for failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs.
Japan’s Ogawa tested positive for synthetic testosterone. The NSAC will hold a hearing regarding Ogawa’s positive test on an undetermined date and could change the result of the Ogawa-Farmer fight to a no-contest.
If the result of the fight is changed to a no-contest, Ogawa would be stripped of his belt and Farmer more than likely would receive another title shot.
Lou DiBella, Farmer’s promoter, petitioned the IBF on Farmer’s behalf earlier this month for an immediate rematch due to the controversial result of their fight.
Farmer (25-5-1, 5 KOs), a southpaw from Philadelphia, seemed to do more than enough to out-point Ogawa (23-1, 17 KOs) during their 12-round bout, which HBO broadcast from Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Still, only one judge, Tim Cheatham, scored their fight for Farmer (116-112). Judges Burt Clements (116-112) and Max DeLuca (115-113) credited Ogawa with winning.
Harold Lederman, HBO’s unofficial ringside judge, thought Farmer won decisively (117-111). Unofficial CompuBox statistics also indicated Farmer won.
CompuBox counted 158 of 525 overall punches for Farmer, 59 more than Ogawa (99 of 445). Farmer connected with 132 of 299 power punches, according to CompuBox, 40 more than Ogawa (92 of 292).
Ogawa and Farmer fought for the IBF 130-pound championship Gervonta Davis lost for failing to make weight the day before his eighth-round knockout of Francisco Fonseca on August 26 in Las Vegas.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
