The World Boxing Association has endorsed the split points decision that awarded New Zealand boxer John Parker the WBA Oceania cruiserweight title. In a recent match held in Hamilton, Parker faced Fiji’s Alivereti Kauyaca, emerging victorious.
However, Kauyaca’s manager-trainer, Farmaan Ali, has contested the decision, urging the WBA to either reverse the outcome or declare a “no contest.” He claims two judges made erroneous judgments during the fight.
In response, WBA Oceania president Ferlin Marsh sought the assessments of three international boxing judges, who reviewed the fight footage and confirmed Parker as the winner. Marsh noted, “After reviewing the fight and consulting with three other expert boxing officials, all agreed with the scoring that led to John Parker’s victory.”
The scores from the Australian judges were as follows: Brad Vocale scored it 96-94, Paul Tapley awarded 97-93, and Phil Austin gave a score of 98-92 in favor of Parker.
Marsh expressed his respect for the independent judges, emphasizing their credentials from many high-profile WBA, WBC, and WBO title fights. He described the bout as challenging to assess due to the fighters’ cautious approach. While Parker won a few more rounds, the fight was closely contested.
Although Kauyaca appeared to be busier, Vocale remarked that he missed key scoring opportunities and his punches often landed inaccurately, sometimes hitting behind the head or on gloves and arms. Despite not landing as many punches, Parker’s strikes were deemed more effective, contributing to his crucial rounds.
Vocale’s wife, Jill, a judge with significant experience, scored the match a draw at 95-95, illustrating the fight’s competitive nature.
Ali, meanwhile, has announced plans to consult additional boxing judges from the United States and Europe, expressing dissatisfaction with the judges’ decisions. He contested Vocale’s comments about Kauyaca’s kidney shots, claiming Parker’s corner had adjusted his groin guard to protect him.
“I have observed inconsistencies in Vocale’s statements,” Ali stated. “The kidney area is a legitimate scoring zone, and doubts remain regarding the judges’ understanding of the fight’s dynamics. I will seek a broader evaluation from independent judges to provide clarity on this outcome.”