With anti-American sentiment at an all time high around the world, last night’s despicable decision in Madison Square Garden did nothing to contribute to the effort of international diplomacy. Ike Quartey (37 – 3, 31 KO’s) won every round but two, according to our unofficial score card at the Philadelphia Boxing Report.

Ike pressed the fight against Vernon Forrest (37 – 2, 28 KO’s). He moved forward, frustrating the bigger man, seemingly landing his left hand at will. Forrest had 2 surgeries on his left shoulder, and elbow, and it was obvious that he could not stick his jab out there well enough to stop the charge of Quartey. To add to the disgrace of three inept judges’ decisions, Forrest lost a point in the eighth round, for hitting Quartey well south of the waistband.

Ike Quartey is a very wealthy man, who retired at 30, not so much out of not having talent, but because he was sick and tired of having to fight twice as hard to beat anyone in America to get a win. Forrest fought, two maybe three rounds, and thought that he deserved to win. All three judges at ringside had Forrest clearly defeating Quartey, which leads me to believe that something dirty was going on, or these three judges are just that stupid. Two of the judges scoring this fight, Tony Paolillo and Steve Weisfeld were judging the previous bout between Ouma and Powell. Ouma moved forward, much like Quartey throughout the whole fight, and scored with effective aggressiveness. Tony Paolillo scored that fight 96 to 94 for Ouma, and Steve Weisfeld scored it 97 – 93 Ouma. P.B.R had it scored 99 – 90, a virtual shutout. That should have been a sign of what was to come.

I know I will get a thousand emails and calls, asking for some kind of explanation about this ridiculous decision. It is very hard for people who are fight fans to swallow the crap that was spoon fed to them on national television last night. With boxing ratings getting lower and lower, the sport cannot afford to lose the fringe fan. The die hard fans, will always be there to push around, we love the sport, but the fringe fans, the ones who may buy that pay per view ticket, or buy a ticket to see their local favorite pound it out at a small arena in their town, those are the ones that will turn to the UFC and fake wrestling. I guess they figure if they are going to get conned, why not get conned by professional actors.

Mike Casile
WWW.Philaboxingreport.com
MikeCasile@philaboxingreport.com