Boxing Update: Lorenzo Protests WBA Title Fight Decision

ByBoxing Press

Middleweight world title challenger Giovanni Lorenzo has filed a protest with the World Boxing Association in regards to the unprofessional conduct taken by WBA Judge Stefano Corozza during Lorenzo’s Interim World Middleweight Championship against Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam held on April 2, 2011 in Le Cannet, France.

During the course of the fifth round of a highly competitive bout, Lorenzo’s powerful combinations forced N’Dam N’Jikam into the ropes finishing with a devastating right uppercut that knocks him through the ropes and onto the ring apron.

Following N’Dam N’Jikam’s fall onto the apron, two people are clearly seen attempting to help him back into the ring, one an unnamed photographer and the second WBA Judge Stefano Corozza.

Corozza is seen in a video of the fight helping push N’Dam N’Jikam back into the ring, going so far as assisting him with the ropes as he attempts to re-enter the ring.

According to the WBA Contest Rules a boxer can be disqualified if he is given help to get back to his feet either by a cornerman or third party. Clearly referee Hubert Earle was within his rights at this point to declare Lorenzo the winner.

Other irregularities which took place during the course of the event include an attempt by N’Dam N’Jikam’s team to illegally wrap his hands, a point which was only noticed by Lorenzo’s trainer, Ray Farrait, despite WBA Judge Philippe Verbeke overseeing the proceedings.

In addition, the ludicrous scoring (119-109, 119-110 and 116-110) of the bout is a major cause for concern. The most alarming point among many is that despite Lorenzo dropping N’Dam N’Jikam in the fifth round, two judges, Stefano Corozza and Juan Manuel Perez, scored the round 10-9 for Lorenzo as opposed to the standard 10-8 when a knockdown occurs.

With these cumulative and unprofessional acts of conduct by members of the WBA, Giovanni Lorenzo is insisting that the WBA Championship Committee grant an immediate rematch against N’Dam N’JIkam for the WBA Interim World Middleweight Championship.