WBC President Mauricio Suleiman has made an interesting proposal for the “Ring of Fire” fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With the undisputed heavyweight title on the line in the block fight, Suleiman is hoping to avoid a refereeing disaster with six referees instead of the previous three.
Last month Suleiman filed an emergency petition with the WBO, WBA and IBF as well as Fury and Usyk and their promoters, asking for the green light for a six-judge panel.
Top Rank manager and Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum rejected the idea.
“From a perspective and an importance, this is not the first time you fight and do something like this,” Arum told BoxingScene.
– Six judges are probably better than three. I doubt it, but maybe. No one knows it’s not finished yet. But at least you can try to fight less. With all due respect, my friend Mauricio is a good guy who loves the sport of boxing and is a WBC champion, but I won’t do anything about this fight. I’m not saying don’t try another fight. In my opinion, the trial would not have been better because there were six judges instead of three.
Bob Arum Opposed to Six Judges for Oleksdandr Usyk-Tyson Fury https://t.co/FknfY6XBrM
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) April 22, 2024
Suleiman believes that if more defenders score goals, then there will be less chance of scorecards and disputes when the referees have problems on the night.
Frank Warren, owner of Queensberry Promotions and Fury’s co-promoter, rejected the opinion of six individual judges.
While Suleiman was waiting for the blessing for his idea, he asked Pope Francis to bless and sign the WBC commemorative belt that will be awarded to the winner.
Regardless of the result, Fury and Usyk are scheduled for a rematch, which Arum said could take place in early October at the season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ashley’s thoughts:
The upcoming heavyweight fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury has come out of nowhere, with WBC president Mauricio Suleiman planning to support the much-anticipated fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 18th May. Draw a panel of six judges.
Suleiman’s move, while well-intentioned, sparked controversy in the boxing community, with Fury’s general manager and co-promoter, Bob Arum, expressing doubts about the viability of the plan. Arum, while appreciative of Suleiman’s athletic ability, is still not convinced that increasing the number of referees will produce the right results. He emphasized the need to be cautious in changing the boxing rules. Frank Warren, owner of Queensberry Promotions and Fury’s co-promoter, echoed Arum’s sentiments, questioning the legitimacy of trusting six judges to judge the fight. While Suleiman is positive about the potential benefits of expanding the number of judges, there are concerns about its operational impact and its impact on the integrity of the competition.
Meanwhile, Suleiman’s unusual approach was more than a trial as he asked Pope Francis for his blessing to award the WBC commemorative belt to the champion. The award highlighted the importance of the game and celebrated Suleiman’s efforts to fill the event with trophies.
Regardless of the outcome of the proposed changes, Fury and Usyk will remain focused on their upcoming fight, and a fight in Riyadh is scheduled for early October. Arum’s announcement of his return to action shows the promoter’s ability to deliver exciting fights and maintain momentum in the heavyweight division.
As the boxing world awaits the Usyk-Fury fight, Suleiman’s bid is an interesting addition to the story, raising questions about the role of referees in deciding the outcome of big fights. Whether or not the six-judge panel turns out to be true, one thing is certain: The stage is set for an unforgettable match between two heavyweight champions competing for a ring title.