Tweet
By Jake Donovan - For the first time since agreeing to participate in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, Team Mikkel Kessler has come to realize just how advantageous it has become for undefeated challenger Andre Ward to have this weekend’s fight take place in his hometown.
He’s already traveling some 5,500 miles from his native Denmark to defend his alphabet super middleweight title at the Oracle Arena in Oakland (Saturday, SHOWTIME, 10PM ET/PT). From the moment the fight was signed, Kessler hardly figured to see a friendly face among what figures to be a rabid crown on hand in support of their favorite son.
If the beleaguered California State Athletic Commission, whom presides over this weekend’s card, has their way, he also shouldn’t expect to be granted neutrality among the referee or at least two of the three judges.
News leaked out to the Kessler camp early Wednesday morning that a conflict exists as the officials were named for this weekend’s bout. Assigned as the third man for this contest will be Jack Reiss of California. The three ringside judges are Steve English (California), Steve Morrow (California) and Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa).
On the surface, there is little in the say of suspect credentials among any of the four officials, all of whom have proven to be capable at what they do. If anything, Christodoulou – the one neutral judge among the group - has greater ties to the tournament than any of the three local officials.
The veteran official served ringside for Kessler’s knockout over Gusmyr Perdomo, a bout that served as a prelude to the Super Six. He was also one of the three official judges for Arthur Abraham’s 12th round knockout of Jermain Taylor in last month’s tournament opener.
What is of greater concern to Team Kessler is not so much the credentials of the three local officials, but the fact that they are… local. [details]
He’s already traveling some 5,500 miles from his native Denmark to defend his alphabet super middleweight title at the Oracle Arena in Oakland (Saturday, SHOWTIME, 10PM ET/PT). From the moment the fight was signed, Kessler hardly figured to see a friendly face among what figures to be a rabid crown on hand in support of their favorite son.
If the beleaguered California State Athletic Commission, whom presides over this weekend’s card, has their way, he also shouldn’t expect to be granted neutrality among the referee or at least two of the three judges.
News leaked out to the Kessler camp early Wednesday morning that a conflict exists as the officials were named for this weekend’s bout. Assigned as the third man for this contest will be Jack Reiss of California. The three ringside judges are Steve English (California), Steve Morrow (California) and Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa).
On the surface, there is little in the say of suspect credentials among any of the four officials, all of whom have proven to be capable at what they do. If anything, Christodoulou – the one neutral judge among the group - has greater ties to the tournament than any of the three local officials.
The veteran official served ringside for Kessler’s knockout over Gusmyr Perdomo, a bout that served as a prelude to the Super Six. He was also one of the three official judges for Arthur Abraham’s 12th round knockout of Jermain Taylor in last month’s tournament opener.
What is of greater concern to Team Kessler is not so much the credentials of the three local officials, but the fact that they are… local. [details]
Comment