Instant Replay In Boxing

The WBC instituted the use of Instant Replay in boxing since 2008. Other sports, such as American Football initiated the use of technology to try to correct wrong decisions that became controversial and unjust.

Today almost every single sport uses Instant Replay, Soccer calls it VAR, Baseball, Tennis, Hockey, Basketball even horse racing utilizes technology.

Since boxing promotions are with a vast difference of television productions, the WBC adjusts to whatever is available to review controversial actions even if it has to be by using the giant screens on the arena.

The WBC has used Instant Replay in 24 countries of the world in hundreds of cases . There are several boxing authorities that utilize Instant Replay, New Jersey for more than 12 years, Nevada in the past 5 years and several more .

INSTANT REPLAY – BASIC OVERVIEW

Instant Replay review to be utilized only in the following instances:
· Determination of the source of a cut or significant swelling or injury ( Legal punch , headbutt, elbow , etc.).

· Review of instances that can potentially change the outcome of the fight.

· Review situations that result in ending the bout in order to correct or adjust an outcome that resulted from a wrong ruling by the referee.

LIST OF SPECIFIC ACTIONS THAT CAN BE REVIEWED

· Confirm the action which caused a cut or excessive swelling on a fighter.
· A punch landed before, at, or after the bell ending a round.
· An unexpected, unusual, or extraordinary incident which results in injury to a fighter or has effect on the continuation of the bout.
· Determine the actual source of any of the fouls listed in the rules which may have happened and missed by the referee
· Confirm the validity of a knockdown

INSTANT REPLAY PROCEDURE

1. Boxing organizations, in conjunction with the local commission, will appoint a panel in charge of instant replay. The panel will consist of one representative from the WBC-WBA-WBO-IBF, the local commission Supervisor, and a specifically appointed instant replay monitoring supervisor.

2. The promoter with the support of the television network will provide a monitor to be placed at the head table of the commission or at a selected position in ringside with headphones for audio commentary to receive the live feed.

3. Consistent with the guidelines set forth above, Instant Replay is limited to review (a) whether a cut or other injury to the face is the result of a punch or otherwise; or (b) whether a punch is thrown after the bell signaling the end of a round and (c) in any major situation that can change the outcome of the bout and where the replay clearly shows the actions are contradictory to the live ruling of the referee.

4. The referee may call “time out” during the bout and consult with the instant replay panel, if in doubt, as to any scenario, however it is recommended that all reviews are done during the resting minute period.

5. The instant replay panel will review any controversial instance that may have occurred in any round. A ruling of the referee may be overruled solely if the instant replay clearly and conclusively reveals that the original referee’s ruling of the action was mistaken. The panel must agree by majority in order to change the referee’s ruling.

6. The referee may request to verify the action by watching the TV monitor or may choose to accept the panel’s recommendation, which shall constitute the final decision and the enforceable ruling.

7. Both corners and the audience will be notified of the final decision.

FOLLOWING YOU WILL FIND SOME EXAMPLES, OF MANY OTHERS THAT EXIST, IN WHICH INSTANT REPLAY HAS SUCCESFULLY BEEN USED – THE TEXT DESCRIBES THE ACTION AND THE LINK HAS THE ACTUAL VIDEO OF THE SITUATION.

1. Edwin Valero vs Antonio Demarco – 2010 Mexico

Valero is cut on the second round during an exchange. Valero claims the cut to be from an elbow while Demarco claims it to be from a legal punch. INSTANT REPLAY clearly demonstrates it was an accidental foul from the elbow.

https://devsite7.ggmtesting.com/Edwin_Valero_vs_Antonio_DeMarco_round_2.html

2. Bernard Hopkins vs Chad Dawson I – 2011- California

Bernard Hopkins gets injured in rd 2 and referee declares a TKO as a result he cannot continue . WBC used Instant replay and did not accept such result , as it was clear that Dawson fouled Hopkins causing the injury, WBC ordered a rematch. About 5 weeks later California changed the result to No Contest with the same explanation.

https://devsite7.ggmtesting.com/Bernard_Hopkins_vs_Chad_Dawson%20round%209_1.html

3. Humberto Soto vs Francisco Lorenzo I – 2008 – Nevada

Humberto Soto was battering Lorenzo, knocked him down , cut and bloodied in the 4 rounds the fight lasted. During the 4th round referee intervened with confusing mechanics twice, eventually Lorenzo Knelt down as Soto was throwing punches with the last one called by referee as illegal. Lorenzo simply laid down, faked and the commission disqualified Soto. Instant Replay clearly shows that the ruling was wrong. TV analysts were overwhelmingly clear on this being the wrong ruling. WBC did not award the belt to Lorenzo as it was ruled as disqualification. A rematch was ordered.

https://devsite7.ggmtesting.com/Humberto_Soto_vs_Francisco_Lorenzo_round_4.html

4. Zab Judah vs Josh Clottey – Nevada –

Zab Judah is cut on the 9th round, referee ruled accidental headbutt and the fight had to go to the scorecards .
Instant Replay clearly shows the cut was caused by a punch . The correct ruling should have been a TKO win for Clottey. Clottey won by close decision and could have been a terrible injustice.

https://devsite7.ggmtesting.com/JOSHUA_CLOTTEY_VS_ZAB_JUDAH_round_9.html