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
