Robbed!

JAMAICAN BOXER Shakeel Phinn, ‘The Jamaican Juggernaut’, has been getting a lot of support from the boxing world, which believes the result of his fight against the undefeated Erik Bazinyan on Thursday was a travesty.

Phinn battled the Armenian, who is the NABF and NABA Super Middleweight champion, to a draw in their 10-round contest at Casino de Montréal in Canada.

However, boxing aficionados and fans worldwide believe Phinn was denied a clear victory by the judges.

According to Fightnews.com, “Bazinynan got all he could handle from Phinn, who pressed the action and seemed to do more.”

BoxingScene reported that. “Phinn was unstoppable in what should have been the biggest win of his career – until the judges’ scorecards were read.”

It noted also that Phinn inflicted most of the significant damage, but was ultimately left with a draw for his efforts.

The opinion from 3KingsBoxing.com was not much different.

“The Jamaican Juggernaut Shakeel Phinn was robbed of victory against Erik Bazinyan.”

It pointed to the scorecard, noting that one judge scored the fight 97-93 for Phinn, one had it 96-94 for Bazinyan and the final judge, 95-95.

However, it commented that. “3Kingsboxing agrees with the first judge’s card. There is no way Bazinyan won more than three rounds.”

On Fightnews.com fans also weighed in on the fight. One insisted systemic corruption in the world of boxing cannot be more blatant.

“If boxing chooses a fighter to win, they will win some way, somehow, even if it’s escaping with a draw. Upsetting the odds or the chosen one for the evening is a sin in their eyes.

“Phinn put on a great performance throughout the fight. He pressed, controlled the pace, pushed Bazinyan back.

“The first two rounds were the closest and I gave it to Banzinyan. Then it was Phinn three, four, five and six easy. I gave Banzinyan round seven, with Phinn taking eight, nine and 10 without question,” said the fan.

“These types of decisions can kill a fighter’s mojo. After all of the hard work in training and executing the plan, to then be robbed.”

Another fan offered that there was too much of an investment involved for Bazinyan to lose a fight unless it was a knockout.

“Phinn dominated seven of the 10 rounds! God, even the judges in Canada are as corrupt as the States!”

According to another fan.

“That was a clear robbery. I hate that this happens in boxing. Those judges should be ashamed of themselves.”

One fan asked for the authorities to take notice and set standards to ensure fights are won on merit.

“I can imagine the feeling where Phinn or others (when they) walked out into that crowd and being told ‘hey, you won,’ yet it’s not comforting to not see the fruits of your labour.

“I can only hope that boxing gets it together when fights are clearly won by the underdog.”

It was the 28-year-old Bazinyan’s first draw in 33 fights. It was Phinn’s second draw in 31 fights, which includes 26 wins and three defeats.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com