By Rafael Soto
After receiving countless feedback emails and a letter of protest from Zanfer Promotions, regarding what happened in Mar del Plata on December 18 where IBF flyweight champion Luis Lazarte performed at an embarrassing level with all sorts of illegal hits on the challenger Ulises Solis of Mexico - the IBF decided to review the match video and immediately ordered a direct rematch of the fight that ended in a controversial draw.
That December night, incredibly American referee Max Parker allowed all sorts of illegal hits, including the champion actually biting Solis. After Solis dominated the contest and the champion lost two points for illegal hits, it was astonishing that two judges actually scored a 113-113 draw on their cards. Only the American judge, John Madfis, had it 117-109 in favor of Solis.
In an official letter addressed to Osvaldo Rivero, the Argentine fighter's attorney, the head of the IBF World Championship Board, Lindsey E. Tucker, reported that based on the rules of the organization a direct rematch has been ordered to take place within 120 days. Both sides have until February 3 to close the negotiations.
The IBF said that in reviewing the video, referee Max Parker took away a point from the champion in the fourth and tenth rounds for illegal blows that caused injuries, but the rules of the organization in world championship fights clearly state that when a fighter commits an intentional foul that causes an injury to his opponent - the fighter who commited the foul must lose two points, and thus a rematch was ordered.
"I had confidence that the IBF would do justice in reviewing the video. I am very happy with that resolution and the support of my promoters Zanfer and Top Rank and hopefully I can get my promoters to bring the fight to Mexico so Lazarte will not have any opportunities to commit his illegalities in the ring," said Solis from his home in Guadalajara.
Zanfer will try to make the fight in March, in Mexico.
