The president of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Oceania, Ferlin Marsh, has announced that they are currently examining video footage of the recent bout between New Zealand’s John Parker and Fiji’s Alivereti Kauyaca, which took place in Hamilton last week.
In a response via email to RNZ Pacific, Marsh indicated that he has enlisted the help of four international boxing judges to review the footage and provide their assessments following a formal complaint from Kauyaca’s trainer and manager, Farmaan Ali.
Ali has requested that the WBA president declare the match a ‘no contest’ and has called for a rematch, disputing the split-decision win awarded to Parker. Two judges favored Parker, granting him the WBA Oceania cruiserweight title, while one judge scored the match for Kauyaca.
“I have received the complaint from Mr. Ali regarding the decision in the fight between John Parker and Alvereti Kauyaca that occurred last Saturday at the Glowbox Arena in Hamilton,” Marsh stated.
He emphasized that the WBA Oceania takes issue with the term “robbed” being used in relation to their title fights, prompting him to request a copy of the fight from Ali.
After reviewing the footage, Marsh has sought additional opinions from four international judges, with one response already received and the rest expected by the end of the week.
Marsh acknowledged that boxing can be controversial and a closely contested fight is likely to upset someone. “Unless there is a clear knockout, someone typically will be dissatisfied with the outcome,” he noted.
Ali has criticized the judges who ruled in favor of Parker, describing their decision as a ‘hometown decision against Kauyaca.’ He labeled the ruling as “totally” biased, expressing confusion regarding the rationale behind the WBA’s choice of judges for the match.
Parker’s team has not yet responded to inquiries about the situation.