The World Boxing Council announces that the Boxing Commission of Cancun and Jose Manzur, the WBC representative for the Rudy Lopez vs. Naoki Matsuda fight that took place in Cancun last Saturday, have decided that the fight will definitely remain with a final result of “no contest.”
I proposed during the last annual Convention which took place in Manila, Philippines, the implementation of instant replay in cases where major controversy and injustice could happen in the ring.
The WBC announced to both camps and all ring officials involved that instant replay would be available for the two WBC fights that were held in Cancun on December 15.
The instant replay during the resting period after the fifth round showed that Rudy Lopez cut was from a legal punch. However, Rudy Lopez’ corner complained about the incident in the eighth round, claiming that there had been a head butt.
It was also made clear to everybody that only the referee could stop the fight, and the fight was stopped during the eighth round resting period. During the instant replay, it was clearly shown that a head butt had occurred, making the cut worsen.
The WBC Championship Rules stipulate that when a cut that is produced by a legal punch is later worsened by a head butt, a technical decision applies with the score of the judges, and the referee disregarded this rule.
Rudy Lopez was ahead on two of the three score cards and with this controversy, the commission has decided that the best solution would be a “no contest” to avoid any injustice to either fighter.
Boxing Commissioner of Cancun Eliseo Gonzalez met with WBC supervisor Jose Manzur and declared the fight as “NO CONTEST.” The WBC Board of Governors will review if a direct rematch shall be ordered. The WBC disciplinary committee will also review the very unfortunate unsportsmanlike conduct that Rudy Lopez demonstrated after the fight by punching Naoki Matsuda in the back.
