The controversial referee who oversaw Deontay Wilder’s win over Derek Chisora will not be punished for his at times comical performance on Saturday night.
Wilder called for Mark Bates to be banned from refereeing after allowing Chisora’s coach to run in the ring during round one of their fight at The O2 Arena in London. The retiring heavyweight was also literally propped up by another trainer when he was dropped in the eighth, and used the ropes to get back up.
However, the British Boxing Board of Control are not going to proceed with any sort of sanctions against Bates or any of the other officials after the event. Wilder has even claimed that after the vicious knockdown, he took it easy on his rival through the later rounds in order to avoid permanent damage.
There was general uproar across social media after Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora’s showdown on Saturday night, particularly from the American audience. The former world champion did win a split decision, but seemed to do it against all odds given a lopsided officiating performance.
After scoring his eighth round knockdown he had a point deducted, and Chisora was given every chance to make it to the final bell on home soil. And Wilder called for referee Mark Bates to be banned after the fact telling media including Bloody Elbow that he was hit in the back of the head 10-12 times.
