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The unification bout between Junior Welterweight champions Konstantin Tszyu and Zabdiel Judah
was supposed to be a fight fan's dream. It was supposed to crown the first undisputed champion
in that division in thirty years. It was supposed to settle a lot of scores, to prove if youth
and speed could rule over experience and power.
Well, the fight didn't live up to the hype or the expectation. It was a disappointment to most,
a heart wrenching loss for Judah who will more than likely pay for his post-fight behavior almost
as dearly as he did for his pre-fight bravado. Kostya Tszyu's victory is now mired in
controversy as a result of what some consider a premature or incorrect stoppage by referee
Jay Nady.
In an effort to better understand the referee's actions, we have polled several boxing
people in a position to shed light on the matter. We will unveil these
interviews like much needed vitamins, one a day, and we sincerely hope that at the end of the
presentation, the waters will be somewhat clearer.
Nelson Fernández, boxing expert and analyst, has been with TVKO Championship Boxing, HBO World
Championship Boxing and HBO Boxing After Dark (in Español) since 1989. He has also been a
manager/trainer of professional boxers since 1975, including WBA Welterweight champion Andrew
"6 Heads" Lewis. In our quest for a better understanding, and based on his impressive
credentials we asked Fernández his opinion of the events. This is what he had to say.
"I would have liked for referee Jay Nady to have given a full count, (mandatory 8), or continued with
the count before making the decision of stopping the fight. Yes, there is no doubt in anyone's mind
that Zab was hurt but the extra 4, 5 seconds count would have really taken away all the doubts we all
have in our minds now, and would have given Zab time to recoup had he been able to go to his corner
because the round was over.
"I have to admit that we have been in the short end of the deal more than once in our career but as
professionals and in Zab's case as a champion he has to act like a champion and what he did after the
stoppage has no excuse and/or reason.
"I have to congratulate his Dad for trying to keep Zab in check and have to condemn his promoter,
(and my good friend) Gary Shaw for his comments of "Zab is not going to apologize for his actions,
the referee should apologize for what he did."
"The promoter should have had a clearer head than the fighter and keep his (promoter's) emotions in
check.
"I have had a few similar circumstances and as recently as this past August the
incident with Antonio "Chelo" Diaz and a nationally televised bout on "ShoBox" where the
future Hall of Famer referee Arthur Mercante Jr., in my estimation made the wrong call; but I/we had our
emotions in check and I made sure that our team did not boil over with emotions and as you know we
made a petition to the New York State Athletic Commission to review the tape and to ascertain if the
call was made justly or not. (We lost that one as well).
"Zab should be fined (heftily) and suspended for 6 months or more for his attack on Jay Nady and
because of him throwing the stool across the ring someone else could have gotten hurt as well.
Sorry to say this but, Zab should be made an example of the Commission's muscle, to prevent this
from happening ever again.
"I know my comments are going to create some ill feelings with friends (Zab, his father, the promoter,
etc.) but I got to "tell it like it is."
BRC wishes to thank Nelson Fernández for his input and we wish him and his
team great success in their upcoming ventures.
2002
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