No Holds Barred: Keisha Morrisey on the Agbeko-Mares Refereeing Disgrace

On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with our colleague and correspondent Keisha Morrisey.

In the August 13 bantamweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, referee Russell Mora let Mares land countless low blows without even deducting a point, much less disqualifying him. In the eleventh round, Mora even counted for a knockdown after Agbeko went down from a clear shot to the groin by Mares. This was one of the worst refereeing jobs in modern boxing history, and made the majority decision victory awarded to Mares virtually meaningless.

Outrage has been virtually unanimous among those who saw the fight (except, of course, from the referee), and many are calling for an immediate rematch, as well as nullifying the decision. The New Jersey commission suspended all three judges after their absurd decision in the Lara-Williams fight earlier this year, so it will be instructive to see what action if any the Nevada commission takes regarding Mora.

We spoke by phone late Saturday night right after the Agbeko-Mares fight with Keisha Morrisey. We discussed the refereeing in this fight, what it says about the continuously declining state of boxing, what should be done next, and much more.

CONTROVERSY IN LAS VEGAS‏- Post-Fight Press Links
Controversy looms over Las Vegas (and it smells like stale beer) after inexplicable officiating--which went beyond mere incompetence--marred the main event of the Bantamweight Tournament Final at the Hard Rock on Saturday night.

Please see links, below, to the first of what will certainly be many descriptions and accounts of something that went horribly wrong.

Alan Hopper
DKP

Yahoosports.com – by Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Auj16BtN1cc5t0cAZ.YnaAOUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mares_beats_Agbeko_controversy_081311

Controversy erupts as Abner Mares wins bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko
Immediate rematch likely on tap after unsatisfying finish to Showtime tournament
Las Vegas Sun - By Case Keefer
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/14/abner-mares-controversy-joseph-agbeko/

Abner Mares beats Joseph Agbeko for world title
Challenger from Hawaiian Gardens is the new International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion by majority decision.

The Los Angeles Times - By Lance Pugmire
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-mares-abeko-20110814,0,2490395.story?track=rss

Mora taints Mares victory over Agbeko, ruins good fight
RingTV.craveonline.com – Doug Fischer and Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168561-mora-taints-mares-victory-over-agbeko-ruins-good-fight-

Looked Like Ref Russell Mora Beat Joseph Agbeko
The Sweet Science – By Michael Woods
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13107-russell-mora-beats-joseph-agbekostay-tuned-for-avila-from-ringside

In a great action fight Saturday marred by puzzling officiating by the referee that left fans at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, those watching on SHOWTIME® and the telecast team themselves totally perplexed, Abner Mares won The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title with a majority 12-round decision over defending IBF titlist Joseph King Kong Agbeko.

The unbeaten Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., scored two knockdowns – one in the first and one in the 11th that was one hotly disputed – en route to outpointing the New York-based Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs) of Ghana by the scores of 115-111 twice and 113-113.

But talk afterward centered less on the terrific performances of the talented, proud prizefighters and more on the referee, Russell Mora, whose failure to deduct a point from the winner despite at least five warnings for low blows and several other shots that seemed south of the border left many in disbelief.

During the telecast, SHOWTIME ringside analyst Antonio Tarver said, “Mora robbed all of us of a great fight.’’

There were 1,394 punches thrown in a give-and-take slugfest. Mares connected on 318 of 732, Agbeko on 318 of 732.

“I thought the first knockdown was clear,’’ said Mares, who made history by becoming the first homegrown Golden Boy Promotions boxer to capture a world title. “On the second I hit him on the belt and the ref chose to give him a count. I agree with the ref’s choice.

“I like to work the body but I was making the fight and all he did was counter-punch.

“I’m open to fight anybody (next). I love this tournament and would love to be in another one like this.’’

Said Agbeko, who demanded an immediate rematch, “I felt as though I was fighting two opponents in the ring tonight, Abner Mares and the referee. The referee ruled incorrectly on the knockdowns and he allowed Mares to hit me low repeatedly. Then, in the 11th, he called what everyone could see was another obvious low blow a knockdown.

“I don’t why these things happened to me. I felt the ref was against me from the start. All I wanted was a fair fight.

“I like Abner. He’s a good fighter. But I’m sure he didn’t want to win a fight this way.’’

A 12-round fight promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions will re-air this week as follows:Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME

Saturday’s fight will be available ON DEMAND beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Jim Gray Interview with Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson

Gray: Antonio you have said that Chad is the future and you’re the now. What gives you the indication that he’s not the ‘now’ and the future as well?

Tarver: Well, I feel like I’m at the top of my game. I just took the IBF title from Clinton Woods. I’m here. I’m the unified champion, four-time light heavyweight champion, twice undisputed. I’ve done it all. I’ve beaten everybody so why wouldn’t I feel like I’m the now and he can be the future?

Gray: Chad do you feel Antonio is way past his prime?

Chad Dawson: Yes, definitely past his prime. Look at his last three performances. They speak for themselves. Just look at Clinton Woods. He can’t even beat a ‘paycheck.’ Clinton Woods didn’t put up a fight…. He came to collect a paycheck.

Gray: By that same token, you didn’t have your best night against Glen Johnson and Antonio didn’t have a problem.

Dawson: Like I said, Glen Johnson came to fight, Chad Dawson came to fight. We had a hell of a fight. I’m here, I’m the future and I’m the now. On October 11, I will prove that point to the whole world.

Gray: How do you think you’ll be able to do that?

Dawson: I am in tremendous shape like I always am. I come into every fight in tremendous shape. There’s nothing that Antonio Tarver does that can throw me off my game plan. He’s slow, he’s old. Come on, look at my last three performances and look at his and tell me who the better fighter is.

Gray: Antonio you’re response to what you’re hearing here from Chad Dawson?

Tarver: I’m listening to a guy that is very naïve, a guy that is very young, obviously, mentally and he’s sadly mistaking. (Many) have come and tried to conquer and have tried to take me out. It has never been done before and it won’t get done on Oct. 11. All this guy is hoping for is that I show up less then prepared. They are looking to roll the dice and get lucky. That’s it, bottom line. But I’m here to tell you, I’m here to put the world on notice that it won’t happen. I’ll have my best performance against Chad Dawson. He’s right about the prediction. It won’t go the distance.

Gray: Antonio, he raises an interesting point. You haven’t looked your best in your last three fights. It looks like there has been a struggle and it looks like age now has affected you. What have you done in the interceding time to change that trend?

Tarver: Do me a favor. Put the camera up close. This is a fighter that has been in this sport for 20 years. Now do the same with Chad Dawson. He’s ten years my youth. The bottom line is I got the secret to the success. I’ve been here. I’m not going anywhere. You will see a display of the sweet science when I technically annihilate Chad Dawson on the 11th.

Gray: Chad, a lot of people say possibly you don’t have the chin and you’ve addressed that in the past. What about your chin and what about taking the big punch from him?

Dawson: I’ve never been knocked out. That’s what I have to say to that. I’ve been down but never been knocked out.

Gray: Do you respect not only what he’s (Tarver) done in the past but where he is now as a fighter?

Dawson: I respect what he’s done in the past but where he is right now as a fighter, you can’t compare that to me. I’m young, I’m fast, I’m strong, I’m in the best shape of my life. Every fight I come in on weight. I never have trouble making weight. Never. I mean that’s a true champion right there. I never have to struggle to make weight because I come in to camp on weight, every camp.

Gray: Why do you feel you’re an underdog and there’s this lack of respect, Antonio?

Tarver: They just don’t understand my game. All I do is win and all I do is be successful but they can’t understand my game. I was underestimated coming out of the Olympics. They never thought I would reach this plateau. As long as we have critics it gives me something to shoot for.

Gray: Chad, when you hear all this, what is your reaction?

Dawson: I believe in my abilities and he believes in his abilities. But, like he said, October 11, somebody is going home with hell, and it’s not going to be me.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Jim Gray Interview with Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson

Jim Gray Interview with Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson

Gray: Antonio you have said that Chad is the future and you’re the now. What gives you the indication that he’s not the ‘now’ and the future as well?

Tarver: Well, I feel like I’m at the top of my game. I just took the IBF title from Clinton Woods. I’m here. I’m the unified champion, four-time light heavyweight champion, twice undisputed. I’ve done it all. I’ve beaten everybody so why wouldn’t I feel like I’m the now and he can be the future?

Gray: Chad do you feel Antonio is way past his prime?

Chad Dawson: Yes, definitely past his prime. Look at his last three performances. They speak for themselves. Just look at Clinton Woods. He can’t even beat a ‘paycheck.’ Clinton Woods didn’t put up a fight…. He came to collect a paycheck.

Gray: By that same token, you didn’t have your best night against Glen Johnson and Antonio didn’t have a problem.

Dawson: Like I said, Glen Johnson came to fight, Chad Dawson came to fight. We had a hell of a fight. I’m here, I’m the future and I’m the now. On October 11, I will prove that point to the whole world.

Gray: How do you think you’ll be able to do that?

Dawson: I am in tremendous shape like I always am. I come into every fight in tremendous shape. There’s nothing that Antonio Tarver does that can throw me off my game plan. He’s slow, he’s old. Come on, look at my last three performances and look at his and tell me who the better fighter is.

Gray: Antonio you’re response to what you’re hearing here from Chad Dawson?

Tarver: I’m listening to a guy that is very naïve, a guy that is very young, obviously, mentally and he’s sadly mistaking. (Many) have come and tried to conquer and have tried to take me out. It has never been done before and it won’t get done on Oct. 11. All this guy is hoping for is that I show up less then prepared. They are looking to roll the dice and get lucky. That’s it, bottom line. But I’m here to tell you, I’m here to put the world on notice that it won’t happen. I’ll have my best performance against Chad Dawson. He’s right about the prediction. It won’t go the distance.

Gray: Antonio, he raises an interesting point. You haven’t looked your best in your last three fights. It looks like there has been a struggle and it looks like age now has affected you. What have you done in the interceding time to change that trend?

Tarver: Do me a favor. Put the camera up close. This is a fighter that has been in this sport for 20 years. Now do the same with Chad Dawson. He’s ten years my youth. The bottom line is I got the secret to the success. I’ve been here. I’m not going anywhere. You will see a display of the sweet science when I technically annihilate Chad Dawson on the 11th.

Gray: Chad, a lot of people say possibly you don’t have the chin and you’ve addressed that in the past. What about your chin and what about taking the big punch from him?

Dawson: I’ve never been knocked out. That’s what I have to say to that. I’ve been down but never been knocked out.

Gray: Do you respect not only what he’s (Tarver) done in the past but where he is now as a fighter?

Dawson: I respect what he’s done in the past but where he is right now as a fighter, you can’t compare that to me. I’m young, I’m fast, I’m strong, I’m in the best shape of my life. Every fight I come in on weight. I never have trouble making weight. Never. I mean that’s a true champion right there. I never have to struggle to make weight because I come in to camp on weight, every camp.

Gray: Why do you feel you’re an underdog and there’s this lack of respect, Antonio?

Tarver: They just don’t understand my game. All I do is win and all I do is be successful but they can’t understand my game. I was underestimated coming out of the Olympics. They never thought I would reach this plateau. As long as we have critics it gives me something to shoot for.

Gray: Chad, when you hear all this, what is your reaction?

Dawson: I believe in my abilities and he believes in his abilities. But, like he said, October 11, somebody is going home with hell, and it’s not going to be me.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved