Promoters Eye Rating Sytem For Refs, Judges

Gary Shaw has gained support in the wake of his outrage regarding last Saturday night's, controversial, 12-round, majority draw between lightweights (135 pounds) Ali Funeka of South Africa, who is promoted by Shaw, and Dominican-born Joan Guzman in Quebec City, Quebec.

After the verdict left the IBF title vacant, Canadian ringsiders stunned, and HBO's commentators in disbelief, Shaw successfully campaigned for the sanctioning body's officials to review video of the fight.

And on Wednesday, Shaw told FanHouse that he received a vote of confidence from The Boxing Promoters' Association during his quest to have the 31-year-old Funeka (30-2-3, 25 knockouts) elevated to the title of interim IBF champion.

In response, BPA president Joe DeGuardia said the group plans to implement a rating system to evaluate the performances of referees and judges.

"I want Funeka to be elevated to the level of interim champion because that's the least that should be done for this kid. There is no way that he should have had to go back to South Africa empty-handed," said Shaw.

"Ali shouldn't be placed in a lesser position if his next fight has to go to a purse bid, where he's only getting 50 percent, when he should be getting the champion's share of 75 percent of the purse bid," said Shaw. "That's what I'm angling for for Ali Funeka."

Funeka not only dominated Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KOs) from a distance behind his long, forceful jab, but he also left the still unbeaten fighter's white trunks stained with the blood that flowed profusely from his own nose as well as a cut above his right eye.

American judge Joe Pasquale scored it 116-112 for Funeka, however, both Canadian judges Alan Davis and Benoit Roussel had it even at 114-114.

The BPA "expresses its deep concern over the officiating of the Ali Funeka-Joan Guzman fight this past Saturday which took place in Canada and was televised live on HBO. The BPA intends to take steps to address these types of situations," organization president Joe DeGuardia wrote in a statement to Shaw.

"The BPA shall institute an evaluation and rating system of judges and referees. All officials will be reviewed for competency and integrity. Officials that are found to be incompetent will be addressed. Should there ever be an instance of corruption, we will seek to have that official banned," wrote DeGuardia.

"In short, the credibility of our sport must be maintained and the BPA is establishing a Committee to start the process to monitor officials," DeGuardia continued. "Every sport occasionally has bad officiating and boxing will now have the BPA to monitor and try to correct any blatant instances."

FanHouse scored the fight 116-112 for Funeka, who had won 16 straight with 14 knockouts before losing February's majority decision loss to Nate Campbell.

"Your scorecard, and everybody else's was the same. My e-mails blew up right after the call. My blackberry is on vibrate, and it didn't stop. Writers e-mailed me. Other promoters e-mailed me, both friendly and unfriendly. Others from around the world basically told us that we won the fight," said Shaw.

"As for the Boxing Promoter's Association, I appreciate them finally coming out with a statement. It was long overdue, but nevertheless, it came out. It's important to be able to score judges and referees and hold them accountable," said Shaw.

"This is very validating. Even though I received my first validation right at ringside," said Shaw. "That's when I leaned over the ropes and the HBO commentary team stared back at me with this look -- before they even said anything -- that basically said, 'This is unbeleivable.'"

Shaw said that he has "been in contact" with IBF supervisor Larry Hazzard, who was ringside, and IBF president Marion Muhammad.

"They have watched this on the HBO replay and I have ordered a tape from HBO to be sent directly to the IBF," said Shaw. "They told me that they're going to look at it and render a decision or at least a commentary on how they saw the fight and how they feel. I'm in the process of waiting for that."