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Please let me start my column
this month by extending my
sincere condolences towards the
family and friends of Russian
boxer Maxim Dadashev, who passed
away yesterday (July 23) after
suffering a brain-bleed in a
fight last Friday.
My thoughts are also with his
trainer Buddy McGirt, who, while
it unfortunately didn't prevent
the tragedy, did a great job
pulling Dadashev out of the
fight before the last round, and
with opponent Subriel Matias
who, like Dadashev, was in the
ring fighting to make a better
life for himself and his family.
The passing of Dadashev is yet
another reminder of how
dangerous our sport is, and what
these warriors are risking when
they enter the ring. But its
also a reminder that, besides
the immediate family, so many
people are affected by these sad
events.
The opponent, the opponent´s
trainers, friends and trainers
of Dadashev, the matchmakers,
promoters, the referee, medical
staff, so many people involved
will be deeply troubled and also
deserves our thoughts and
sympathy.
But most
of all: Rest in Peace Maxim
Dadashev!
The latest discussion in the
boxing world reverts about the
officiating in the Paquaio v
Thurman fight. Much has been
said about the ridiculous
scoring of one of the judges, a
judge that I worked with and
rate as one of the best in the
world.
Had this judge scored the final
round to Pacman, his score would
have been 114-113 to the
Filipino. This would have meant
that he was only one solitary
round different from the other
two judges.
I also had Pacman winning, but
what transpired in the scoring
should be suitably analyzed
before all the negative comments
started to fly around.
Perspective!
A certain organization has,
unbelievably decided that it is
now time to ‘drug’ test the
referees and judges.
Perhaps they’ll move on to
testing the seconds, and
possibly even the ring announcer
such is how ridiculous that
decision is.
Should it not rather be to
analyze the performances of the
referees and judges and to
ensure that the standards are of
the highest order.
Those officials, referees and
judges who put in excellent work
should be the ones doing the
title fights, and in fact doing
all the fights.
I don’t buy the usual comments
of ‘let the good officials do
the main fights, and the poor
officials the four rounders.
It should rather be that the
good and competent officials do
all the fights, and that the
poor officials who put in inept
performances should find
something else to do!
As much as the big fights need
the best officials it is
certainly an injustice to all
fighters (four rounders and up)
to be given poor performing
officials.
So perhaps rather than ’drug
testing’ the officials, let’s
monitor officials and use only
the very best.
Boxing deserves nothing less
than that!
Until next time,
keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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