Hamza Sheeraz vs Bradley Skeete update
The BBBofC released the following statement today: "Referee Steve Gray appeared before a Sub-Committee of the British Boxing Board of Control in relation to his performance in the Hamza Sheeraz v Bradley Skeete contest on the 4th December 2021, in particular his actions in round eight.
"Having considered his explanation and options available to him under the rules, the Board accept his account as to his actions.
"Whilst the Board have accepted Mr. Gray’s explanation, they would support the World Boxing Organisation ordering a return of this contest.
"In addition, Boxer Hamzah Sheeraz will appear before the Southern Area Council of the British Boxing Board of Control at a date to be confirmed."
Skete instantly responded to the update displaying his displeasure, "So the British Boxing Board of Control have accepted referee Steve Gray's actions. So looks like getting hit with three illegal punches while defenceless on the canvas is acceptable! Absolutely disgusting!"
In their December 4th fight, Skeete was outboxing his younger opponent, largely dominating the 10-round championship contest behind a sharp jab, until he was forced to take a knee in the eighth round after Sheeraz came on strong.
But while the puncher from Penge was kneeling, Sheeraz unleashed three more punches to the head of Skeete in what appeared to be a delibrate attempt to strike his opponent while he was already down. The WBO European super-welterweight champion actually threw three more punches after he was legally allowed to, the first was a left hook that swung over the head of the floored fighter, but the following two connected cleanly and Skeete was given extra time to recover.
In the following round, Skeete's head still wasn't clear and the slightest connection decked him again, until the contest was stopped 58 seconds into the ninth stanza.
Spectators were shocked and appalled when referee Steve Gray only deducted a single point from the perpetrator for his illegal blows and questions were asked afterwards why he wasn't disqualified from the contest.
Trainer Dominic Ingle was left raging at the result. He said, "They've been building Hamzah up as the next big thing, well on last night's performance he wasn't the next big thing; realistically, he had to resort to illegal moves to win the fight.
"He hit Bradley Skeete three times when he was on the floor, and the referee should not have even gave it a second thought, it should have been an instant disqualification.
"He was not defending himself, he was down; you know, he got hit to the back of the head, then two shots to the face and that really should have been the end of it. The referee was saying to him, 'You're gonna have to get up or I'll have to stop the fight', and he shouldn't be saying that."
More information to follow shortly.
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