Kessler camp shocked over judges

Google Oversæt

Oakland (ekstrabladet.dk): Things are not working.
It is the unambiguous message from Mikkel Kessler German promoter Wilfried Sauerland before Saturday's Super Six match - and World Cup match - against California's Andre Ward.
- The California State Athletic Commision which appointed judges and match heads, and they have appointed two Californians among the judges, and there a Californian judges, frother Sauerland opposite ekstrabladet.dk.
- We will of course appeal to the WBA. In the extreme, Mikkel not come to boxing World Cup match on Saturday. For WBA's rules about the impartiality of judges is quite clear, says the German boxing bigwigs.
The situation can cook up when lunchtime press conference held with all stakeholders at Oaklands Hall. It's 21 o'clock Danish time. Ekstrabladet.dk will naturally be present

Sorry, but Google trans


This is so typical American style.

Kessler has to KO Ward to get a V in this fight.

I thought that it was enough that Andre as the only one was allowed to fight all three first round fights at home - obviously not....

Very sad.

Hahaha Il bet you we dont see any of the " you need a knockout to get a draw in europe " brigade from the States in here, two Californian judges what a fucking joke.

Makes me want to see Kessler do a big number on Ward even more.

But apparently its only bias on european shores :rolleyes:.

If it's true there are two judges from Cali that is total BS. It should be three judges that are not from the US or Denmark.

I hope this isn't revenge for the Froch/Dirrell robbery. I'm hoping this fight will have a clear winner anyways.

this has dodgy written all over it, its a shame more fights are not fought in neutral venues to skip all this bollox

Kessler will KO Ward

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Originally Posted by THE THIRD MAN

Kessler will KO Ward

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I hope so.

I'm stunned there are 2 American judges I have to say.

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Originally Posted by killersheep

If it's true there are two judges from Cali that is total BS. It should be three judges that are not from the US or Denmark.

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Andre Ward has been unreasonable from the beginning. He demanded all his fights be in Oakland, and now they choose a local referee and judges :o

I think it's clear to see Ward is aiming for support from the officials

Two Californian judges and a Californian ref and Christodoulou, a Showtime house guy, as the other judge. Showtime pulling out all the stops. :)

If it goes to the cards and Kessler has only won by a couple of rounds we know what result they're going to come up with. Kessler has to dominate or stop him.

better than Google trans

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.

The Showtime contract, which was signed by all five promoters involved in the Super Six tournament, states: “Judges and referees shall be identified, selected and assigned by the athletic commission with jurisdiction over the Bout; provided that in all events, one judge shall be from the Home Territory of each Boxer Participant and the third judge shall be from a neutral territory, and in all cases, the referee shall be from a neutral territory.”

Given the language of the contract, no fewer than two of the four officials – including the referee - need to be replaced for Saturday’s main event. Kessler’s representatives have requested one of the California judges be replaced by a judge from a Scandinavian country (but not Kessler’s home country of Denmark).

As far the referee goes, failure to appoint a neutral third man could result in the WBA to withdraw their sanctioning of this bout, thus making it a non-title bout, although Kessler wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) be at risk of losing his crown.

For the moment, the sanctioning body is going head to head with the California State Athletic Commission, having already requested another official for the bout. However, the end result won’t necessarily result in an out-of-the-ring victory for Team Kessler.

“It is my understanding that the WBA has suggested a different referee, although he too is from California,” stated Scott Shaffer, who serves as the stateside attorney for Sauerland Event, Kessler’s promoter.

The fight will be the first in the tournament for both Kessler and Ward, though Sauerland Event has already dipped its feet in the pool as they also promote Arthur Abraham, whom last month stopped Jermain Taylor in the 12th round to emerge as the current points leader in the Super Six rankings.

It is that very fight in which Team Kessler points to in their offering an even playing field and honoring the terms of the contract.

“When Jermain Taylor came to Germany to fight in the Super Six, neither Sauerland nor the local commission tried to load up on local officials,” informs Shaffer. “There were no German officials involved in that fight, and Taylor’s people didn’t even have to fight about it. The referee was from Mexico, and the judges were from Canada, Italy and South Africa.

“Kessler deserves the same respect Taylor was given, and is contractually entitled to it.”

In other words, hometown advantage should be the only advantage Andre Ward enjoys

It should be 3 international judges buuuut I'm all for the 2 California judges 8) It was Mickey Van who cost Pernell Whitaker his win over Chavez, don't want to see it happen again. ;D

Looks like Kessler is getting his pre fight excuse ready. What a biitch move on his part. English and Morrow are very capable judges who to my knowledge have never shown favoritism to a particular fighter.

That is outrageous. If I was Kessler I would refuse to fight until impartiality was met.

they need to get on the phone to that guy who gave the 11th round to Carl Froch asap, restore some integrity to this process.

Man, America is not a wholly united country that is completely prejudiced for it's fighters.

So, two american judges doesn't mean a whole lot.

I like Kessler and I'd like to see him win. Just because I like him. But just like Ward put it, Kessler is a typical european fighter with a few extra tricks on top. Kessler is too upright, too strict. A flexible adaptble style will beat him.

Ward is inexperienced, but he is a versatile man.

It's not going to be a robbery. Ward will take the UD and it won't be because it's his hometown.

Where's Gale Van Hoye?

We need a revenge robbery. Even if Andre Ward wins without any controversy if he really won like 8 rounds make it 120-108. I'm feeling patriotic.

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

Looks like Kessler is getting his pre fight excuse ready. What a biitch move on his part. English and Morrow are very capable judges who to my knowledge have never shown favoritism to a particular fighter.

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Look at the Showtime contract, FUCKING MORON, YOU ARE SO FUCKING STUPID

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The Showtime contract, which was signed by all five promoters involved in the Super Six tournament, states: “Judges and referees shall be identified, selected and assigned by the athletic commission with jurisdiction over the Bout; provided that in all events, one judge shall be from the Home Territory of each Boxer Participant and the third judge shall be from a neutral territory, and in all cases, the referee shall be from a neutral territory

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I agree that both are good judges. One good thing about the judges around here (Bay Area/Sacramento) is they are pretty good in most cases. Marty Sammon is another one that is a really solid judge imo. But they go under the radar a bit because they're not from Nevada.

I agree that America is due to kick some ass and play dirty ourselves :cool: This stuff is so overblown though. Malignaggi cried and cried about the Texas judges but those guys gave Michael Katsidis a split decision in their fight. I think one of the Miranda-Ward judges (I think it was Marty Sammon actually ;D) had it 116-112 which was probably 2 or 3 rounds too many for Miranda.

What a joke. Only in America.

I'm surprised they let a SA in. Normally it would have been two Californians and the neutral from New York. :rolleyes:

kessler should just pull out of this fight if everything stays as it is.. too much to risk otherwise, Ward can lose out on his title shot for being such a b***h about it all

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Originally Posted by hitmanhatton

kessler should just pull out of this fight if everything stays as it is.. too much to risk otherwise, Ward can lose out on his title shot for being such a bitch about it all

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The Super Six rules should be followed in this fight...max. 1 american judge and the ref cannot be american. If they can´t live up to the rules then the fight should be called off...period

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Originally Posted by amat

I agree that both are good judges. One good thing about the judges around here (Bay Area/Sacramento) is they are pretty good in most cases. Marty Sammon is another one that is a really solid judge imo. But they go under the radar a bit because they're not from Nevada.

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The terms of the tournament require neutral judges for each fight. Goosen is trying to cheat.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

What a joke. Only in America.

I'm surprised they let a SA in. Normally it would have been two Californians and the neutral from New York. :rolleyes:

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Ward's judges have already filled out their cards. The referee is there to protect him from getting knocked out.

All Ward has to do is run and be standing at the end of the fight:rolleyes:

Only in America do "world" title fights take place between an American-vs-Foreigner with THREE home country American judges (for example.. Hatton-Floyd).

I have looked into this before (just in case you're wondering I was wearing a yellow anorak ;)).

I couldn't find one example of a fight anywhere else - Britain, Germany, Japan etc - that involved a foreigner for a "world" title where all home country judges were used.

could this be more to do with the fact that the commisions have more american judges to call on than any other nationality ?

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Originally Posted by hitmanhatton

could this be more to do with the fact that the commisions have more american judges to call on than any other nationality ?

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Probably something to do with it yes. If a fight's in Vegas it makes sense to have Vegas judges but not when a non-American is involved.

It's not like there's a shortage of judges outside the States. In other countries (and the US too) judges get flown in from all over the place for "world" title fights.

Also there are examples of other countries using their own officials when involving two home fighters - for example.. Calzaghe-Eubank.

Yet only in America do you find all-American officials for fights involving a non-American. Bit odd.

I think that no matter what their pool of judges is, they should have managed to put AT LEAST one neutral into the whole package. I understand Kessler's camp to be a bit irritated by it and for every international match, no matter who's boxing, at least one of the judge should be from a neutral ground.

I'd be in favor Mike Gillenna, Paul Smith and Dave Morretti although they should be told not to be so sympathetic towards the European like they were for the Oscar-Sturm fight.

This is an absolute joke!!

A challenger that isnt a draw, he hasnt even faced a rated super middle and he gest to dictate that he challenges at home, with his nationality judges and ref!!

Kessler should pull out, or at the very least take his belt off the line, then at least if he does get robbed of a KO because of the ref protecting Ward or if he gest robbed on the cards, then fuuck Ward!! The little pussy hasnt got a belt for all his troubles, then give him a rematch in Denmark and hammer the fuuck out the little biitch!!

I really hope Kessler knocks him out so that we don't see any more robberies on the cards. If there's going to be payback it should be for Dirrell against Abraham & after that for Abraham against Froch. Then the circle of life will be complete.

To tell you the truth I really don't think it really matters who will be judging or where the venue is. Kessler will easily stop Ward. To me the most protected, overrated fighter right next to David Haye. Don't get your panties in a twist I am done my little rant.

What's the latest then? They must have sorted this one way or another before now.

Best course of action now would be to get Terry O Conner to ref it, sort of even it out for Kessler ;D.

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Originally Posted by ross

This is an absolute joke!!

A challenger that isnt a draw, he hasnt even faced a rated super middle and he gest to dictate that he challenges at home, with his nationality judges and ref!!

Kessler should pull out, or at the very least take his belt off the line, then at least if he does get robbed of a KO because of the ref protecting Ward or if he gest robbed on the cards, then fuuck Ward!! The little pussy hasnt got a belt for all his troubles, then give him a rematch in Denmark and hammer the fuuck out the little biitch!!

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Wouldn't it be great if Ward got smacked down 3 times in a row in front of his home town audience?
Sweet karma penalty!:foruml10gc5:

Kessler's camp is planting a seed in the minds of boxing fans and maybe the California officials too. He knows this fight is likely to be a close decision, given Ward's style, so he's going to do all the posturing he can.

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

What's the latest then? They must have sorted this one way or another before now.

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Oakland Ward-Kessler Fight May Not Be Sanctioned - cbs5.com

You Euros have such a twisted view of America. 3 American judges, who cares? If 2 of those judges are from Los Angeles then they probably hate Ward anyways. It's cool, don't worry America can handle this.

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Originally Posted by amat

You Euros have such a twisted view of America. 3 American judges, who cares? If 2 of those judges are from Los Angeles then they probably hate Ward anyways. It's cool, don't worry America can handle this.

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Come on Amat lets put it on the other shoe, imagine Hatton was fightinG marquez in Manchester and two of the three judges were from Manchester imagine the uproar from our American friends.

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Originally Posted by skel1983

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Originally Posted by amat

You Euros have such a twisted view of America. 3 American judges, who cares? If 2 of those judges are from Los Angeles then they probably hate Ward anyways. It's cool, don't worry America can handle this.

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Come on Amat lets put it on the other shoe, imagine Hatton was fightinG marquez in Manchester and two of the three judges were from Manchester imagine the uproar from our American friends.

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Let me preface this with a "I think all three judges should be from neutral countries" BUT.

Oakland is twice as far from LA than Manchester is from London. Would a London fighter get the same bias as a Manchester one would?

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Originally Posted by killersheep

Oakland is twice as far from LA than Manchester is from London. Would a London fighter get the same bias as a Manchester one would?

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Are you asking if fighters from the same country fought?

Rather than an American in his hometown with American judges and ref against a Danish world champion?