Warren Questions Judging Consistency After Buatsi and Cameron Wins

Promoter Frank Warren has raised concerns over the judging in two recent boxing matches that took place in Manchester on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Joshua Buatsi secured a contentious majority decision over Zach Parker, while Liam Cameron achieved a unanimous victory against Troy James. Following the matches, Warren emphasized the need for the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) to ensure greater consistency in judging.

Warren described the evening as having “fantastic” bouts with several competitive match-ups. Yet, he highlighted that the scoring drew significant criticism, which he believes is unfair to the fighters involved. “Some of the scorecards though have created headlines, and that’s not fair on the fighters,” he stated in an interview with Sky Sports. He added, “We really need more consistency from the judges to stop these things happening. The BBBoC does a great job but they need to look at it.”

In response to Warren’s comments, Robert Smith, the general secretary of the BBBoC, defended the judges’ decisions. He noted that two of the three judges in both matches were international officials, which may have affected the scoring. “There was a lot of holding,” Smith explained, referring to the nature of the Buatsi-Parker contest.

Buatsi’s victory positions him as a contender for the WBC light-heavyweight world title, which will be contested by David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde on November 22, 2023. Meanwhile, Parker expressed his disappointment over the decision, stating, “I won that fight easy. I think every single person at ringside said I won it.” He felt that he had outboxed Buatsi, claiming he should now be moving on to larger fights.

Parker’s frustration was palpable, especially since one judge scored the fight a 95-95 draw, while the other two awarded it 96-94 in favor of Buatsi. Observers at ringside echoed Parker’s sentiment, believing he had done enough to secure the win.

Conversely, Cameron’s victory provides him with a vital opportunity to re-establish his standing in British boxing after a streak of challenging fights. Prior to this match, he had struggled, with no wins in his last three bouts. The victory against James keeps Cameron in the mix for future high-profile contests.

Cameron, reflecting on his win, stated, “This is what I needed to get back on track.” His determination to regain momentum in his career is evident, particularly after a series of setbacks, including a controversial technical decision and a knockout loss.

The outcomes of these matches have ignited a broader discussion about the standards of officiating in boxing. As Warren pointed out, consistency in scoring is crucial for the integrity of the sport and the fighters’ reputations. Both Buatsi and Cameron now look ahead with renewed aspirations, while Parker seeks validation for his performance.

With the boxing community closely monitoring these developments, the BBBoC may face increased pressure to address the concerns raised regarding officiating standards and the impact on fighters’ careers.