Problem with Gatti-Baldomir Referee...

[Bonafide]

I saw this and the article was released july 21's so I dont know if there has been any changes but read anyways.


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - (July 21, 2006) – Sycuan Ringside Promotions has expressed disappointment and concern that the New Jersey Athletic Control Board (NJACB) has selected an inexperienced referee to work the Carlos Baldomir-Arturo Gatti World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight championship bout Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J.

The NJACB has announced that Wayne Hedgepeth, who has worked only two 12- and four 10-round fights during the past eight-plus years, will be the referee.

“I can’t fathom why a referee with limited experience has been selected to work a fight the magnitude of Baldomir-Gatti,
a grueling bout featuring two demanding styles,” said Scott Woodworth, vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, which is Baldomir’s promoter. “There is no question that we at Sycuan Ringside Promotions object to the selection of Hedgepeth at this time.

“What is a question, though, is why Gatti’s promoters are not concerned about this inexperienced referee.”

A sell-out crowd has been announced for the 12-round bout that will be televised on HBO at 10 ET/7 PT.

Unbeaten in his past 20 fights, Baldomir (42-9-6, 12 KOs) of Santa Fe, Argentina, won the WBC welterweight title with a 12-round decision over Zab Judah Jan. 7, 2006, in New York. Gatti (40-7, 31 KOs) of Jersey City, N.J., has fought his past seven fights in Atlantic City and 21 in a

[Bonafide]

bump...


no replies to this? surprising.

[!! AI-Holmes!!]

I don't think the promoters have a choice on the matter, every State Athletic/Boxing Commission appoints all boxing ringside officials for their state, regardless of the promotion company or the importance of a particular fight..

[JMCbulls]

weird....im sure that if they do keep him, no matter how good of a job he does, this will b on the "loser's" fans excuse list.


i just hope that no one gets screwed, especially gatti

[deuce_drop]

i saw on fnf's that baldomir's people weren't happy with the ref, saying that he was too inexperienced for a fight of this magnitude. they were saying that he isnt capable of handling a world title fight or some **** like that.

my question is, what is baldomir going to do to make it any different from any other fight that the ref has worked. is he going to pull out a gun or hit gatti with a brick? something that an inexperienced ref hasn't seen in any other fight.

if i was baldomir i'd be more concerned if the ref and the judges were on the take, other than that there isnt **** he can do but piss and complian.

either way gatti is going to be facing him in the ring so he should be more focused on the guy thats going to hit him verses the guy who breaks up the clinches.........

[Bonafide]

i saw on fnf's that baldomir's people weren't happy with the ref, saying that he was too inexperienced for a fight of this magnitude. they were saying that he isnt capable of handling a world title fight or some **** like that.

my question is, what is baldomir going to do to make it any different from any other fight that the ref has worked. is he going to pull out a gun or hit gatti with a brick? something that an inexperienced ref hasn't seen in any other fight.

if i was baldomir i'd be more concerned if the ref and the judges were on the take, other than that there isnt **** he can do but piss and complian.

either way gatti is going to be facing him in the ring so he should be more focused on the guy thats going to hit him verses the guy who breaks up the clinches.........

My only problem with an inexperienced ref is when a fighter like Gatti who appears hurt at times then comes back with some kind of fight turning left hook. I dont think Baldy can actually hurt Gatti but Gatti is the type of fighter who cuts , bleeds and appears out of it at times but is still capable of fighting on. I'm all for safety just an inexeprience ref and premature stoppages with a fighter like Gatti is what concerns me.