New Zealand boxer John Parker has been awarded the WBA Oceania cruiserweight title following a split points decision that is backed by the World Boxing Association (WBA). The fight, which took place two weeks ago in Hamilton, saw Parker go up against Fiji’s Alivereti Kauyaca, resulting in Parker being declared the winner.
Kauyaca’s manager-trainer, Farmaan Ali, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision and has called for the WBA to reconsider the outcome or label it a “no contest,” arguing that two judges made errors in their scoring.
In response, WBA Oceania president Ferlin Marsh had three international boxing judges review the fight footage and provide their scores. Marsh stated that after consultation with these judges, they all favored John Parker, confirming him as the champion.
The judges from Australia scored the bout as follows: Brad Vocale scored it 96-94, Paul Tapley scored it 97-93, and Phil Austin scored it 98-92, all in favor of Parker. Marsh emphasized his long-standing respect for these independent judges, highlighting their experience in world title fights across major boxing organizations.
He noted that the fight was difficult to judge, with neither boxer fully taking control, though Parker secured more rounds, albeit narrowly. While Kauyaca appeared busier, Vocale remarked that he was often inaccurate and missed scoring opportunities. He pointed out that Kauyaca frequently targeted strikes that did not score, ending up hitting gloves and arms instead.
Though Parker may not have landed as many punches as Kauyaca, his strikes were more effective and precise, ultimately contributing to his victory. Vocale acknowledged the closeness of the match, indicating that both fighters had their struggles and went through periods of fatigue.
However, Vocale’s wife, Jill, an accredited judge, viewed the bout as a draw, scoring it 95-95 for both fighters.
Meanwhile, Ali stated he would seek the opinions of additional boxing judges from the US and Europe due to his disagreement with the original scores. He challenged Vocale’s assessment regarding the kidney strikes and claimed that Parker’s corner had intentionally adjusted his equipped to protect against those blows.
Ali expressed his dissatisfaction with the ruling and intends to consult impartial judges, hoping to better understand the scoring once he receives their evaluations.