Dubois’ opponent raises ‘bias’ protest when bell rings early in title match
Kevin Lerena had problems with administration during his loss to Daniel Dubois, citing a short inning and quick stoppage that prevented him from having a chance to fight for the WBA regular title.
The most thrilling fight of the night between the cards Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora was also shrouded in confusion and controversy.
Dubois – the champion and heavyweight favorite – was knocked out by his South African rival and former heavyweight cruiser, Lerena, right over the head with the first vital shot. The host boxer beat the ball but won the countdown.
He would fall to his knees twice in the round under pressure from Lerena, for a total of three kills. He beat the count each time, although the move was noticeably different – the latter was attributed to a twisted knee from the impact of the strong punch.
The round ends when Dubois counts the third bell, as Lerena points out, early.
“I hit him straight in the head, which obviously sent a shockwave down his body, resulting in a twisted ankle or knee, whatever it was – but let’s not forget that the punch causes He fell down was what injured him.
Then it became apparent that he stood up without knowing what had happened. I tried to put pressure on him again, he knelt down. The referee counted him again. He got up again, I tried to pressure him again to finish him off. He dropped to his knees, and then the moment the half was clearly over at 2 minutes 49 seconds, which allowed Daniel to get back into his corner and recover.”
“In his corner he said to his coach ‘what happened?’ So obviously he didn’t see the shot that took him down and wasn’t a remarkable piece of work.”
“I really felt we had a tough time at the end of the half because a lot can happen in 11 seconds. If I managed to attack him again, knocking him down with blows as if I had knocked him down, then the match might be over.
Part 2️⃣ of 4️⃣… Discussing my success in round 1 ⚡️also the unfortunate early end of the round at 2 minutes 49 seconds without a 10 second “applause” countdown!! It was a big mistake by the BBBoC, one that shouldn’t happen in such big games pic.twitter.com/rliOg7ScpY
– Kevin Lerena (@Kevlerenaboxing) December 6, 2022
Although there were cases where the broadcast clocks didn’t sync with the stopwatches, the round was counted and actually ended in 2 minutes and 50 seconds – 10 seconds short of the norm.
Lerena also had trouble stopping in the third round. After the scheduled second inning, Dubois was still injured which left him injured and gave his all. A series of powerful punches that ended the match as soon as the bell rang and it was shooed away by Howard Foster.
“He caught me a great top cut in the middle. When he caught me, I felt it happen the whole time, so it’s not like I wasn’t there or didn’t know what was going on. Then I heard the bell to end the round, and that was it, the round ended.
So obviously I got hurt from the fall and I was swinging on the rope, but I wasn’t lying on my back. Honestly, I feel like I should have had a minute to recover just like Daniel had a minute to recover. Obviously referee Howard Foster doesn’t feel the same way, but I believe that in cases like this, in title fights, you have to give the boxer the benefit of the doubt in order to recover.”
Lerena is calling for a rematch not only because of this difference but because he knows it will be an explosive encounter for the fans. He continued to compliment Daniel and revealed that there was no animosity between them.
Despite his kind-hearted approach, his promoter – Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves SA – is taking a stronger stance. He announced that they would appeal to the WBA on the basis of Howard Foster’s handling of the game.
“An objection will be sent to the WBA and the British Boxing Supervisory Board – Lerena has been painstakingly handled by a biased ‘loyal umpire’. Boxers are not allowed to be treated so unfairly.
The protest will be sent to the WBA & British Boxing Supervisors- Lerena has been worked very hard by a biased “loyal umpire” Boxers are not allowed to be treated so unfairly.
– Rodney Berman (@GoldenGlovesSA) December 5, 2022
There is no official comment on this matter since UK promoterWBA or BBBofC.