"I'd like to recognize my mistake, because the rules are rules in every part of the world," said Meyran, who has been refereeing for 22 years.Las Vegas Hilton in Paradise, Nevada, U.S. In past disputes the boxing groups usually have ruled that the referee's verdict is final, even if he errs.Īt the extraordinary news conference, King and the boxing association heads also produced the referee, Meyran, to humbly confess his error. A boxer is expected to watch the referee, not the timekeeper, and it seemed possible that Douglas would have been able to rise earlier if the count had begun sooner. "The fact is, Buster Douglas got knocked out first."īut the videotape also clearly showed that Douglas was halfway up during the last part of the count, resting and waiting for the referee to reach the count of seven, which is normal practice. It's an injustice if it holds that Mike Tyson got knocked out," said King. As a result, Douglas was given 12 to 13 seconds to recover and rise, whereas the rules hold that if a boxer does not rise within 10 seconds, the fight is over. Videotape clearly showed that the referee, Octavio Meyran Sanchez, began his count late, about two seconds after the official timekeeper outside the ring. The controversial action occurred near the end of the eighth round, when Tyson, pushed to the ropes by Douglas's barrage and appearing near defeat, managed a right uppercut that sent the much taller Douglas to the canvas. He fought a smart and aggressive bout that appeared to stun Tyson, although two of the three judges had scored the fight about even until the knockout. "But now they can go to hell as far as I'm concerned."ĭouglas, 29, of Columbus, Ohio, who had been given almost no chance of defeating Tyson, 23, knocked out the champion midway through the 10th round.
"Before they started all this, we were going to fight Mike Tyson again," Johnson said. Sulaiman said that he was "almost sure" that "both Douglas and Mike want to meet again to prove to the world who is the real champion." Tyson agreed, but Johnson, in a separate interview, said Douglas no longer was so sure. Though unclear whether today's fight ultimately would be awarded to Douglas or Tyson or declared a no-contest, top boxing officials appeared to be aiming for a rematch. However, the WBA and WBC answer only to themselves in what is "such a political business," as New York State Athletic Commission Chairman Randy Gordon put it today. Generally the decision of the referee is not overturned. The result of Tunney's victory in "The Long Count" was validated the next day. This is not boxing's first controversy over a referee's count the most famous was in the Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney heavyweight title bout in 1927. I can handle losing, but I want to lose fairly." Asked whether he still considers himself champion, Tyson replied, "Absolutely, yes.
#Mike tyson vs james douglas professional
Tyson appeared at the evening news conference at the Tokyo Dome, site of what apparently was his first loss in 38 professional bouts, wearing sunglasses that covered his swollen left eye. In the eyes of the people of the world, he's the champion, and that's what matters. "There's no doubt that James Douglas whipped his butt. "It's a disgrace to the sport of boxing," Johnson said. "Douglas followed the rules he won the fight," said IBF President Bob Lee.ĭouglas, following one of the most shocking upsets in boxing history, reacted angrily to the announcement, as did his manager, John Johnson. Meanwhile, the International Boxing Federation, the third organization that recognized Tyson as heavyweight champion, declared Douglas is its champion. For now, WBC chief Jose Sulaiman said, "no one" is world champion.Īlthough the WBA and WBC are supposed to be impartial bodies, their decision was announced at a news conference with Tyson and his promoter, Don King.
Leaders of the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council, which jointly sponsored the bout in Tokyo, said they will make a decision on the outcome of the fight by Feb. The bout ended when Tyson was knocked out 1 minute 23 seconds into the 10th round, two rounds after Tyson floored Douglas. 11 - The world's two chief boxing organizations today "suspended recognition" of James "Buster" Douglas's upset victory over previously unbeaten heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, ruling that Douglas had been knocked down earlier in the fight for more than the 10 seconds required for a knockout.
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