Forrest Gets Controversial Win Over Quartey
Sunday August 6, 2006
When the crossroads fight between former champs Vernon Forrest and Ike Quartey ended, everyone in attendance - both fighters, the crowd and the HBO announcing team - seemed in agreement that Quartey had done enough to earn the decision. All three judges, however, saw it the other way -- handing Forrest a unanimous ten-round decision by scores of 95-94, 95-94 and 96-93. Forrest was busier throughout and the judges obviously preferred his higher punch output (throwing 818 punches to Quartey's 481) to Quartey's heavier hands and superior connect percentage (42% to Forrest's 22%). The fight was close and difficult to score so it's hard to say Quartey was robbed, but Quartey deserved no less than a draw - especially considering Forrest was deducted a point for a low blow in the ninth round.
In the co-feature, Kassim Ouma (25-2-1) simply outworked Sechew Powell (20-1) over ten rounds to hand Powell the first loss of his professional career. The tireless Ouma landed 380 of 1,043 punches (36%) to Powell's 319 of 835 (38%). Scores were 100-90, 96-94, 97-93. This makes four wins in a row for Ouma since his upset loss to Roman Karmazin a little over a year ago and puts him back in the mix for another title shot.
Comments
Ike Quartey without a doubt deserved the victory in this fight. His very efficient punching should not yield a victory for Forrest. Sure, his punch count was lower but his landing percentage and power shot numbers more than overtake Forrest’s attempts. No one in the room believed Forrest had won the fight including Forrest. It is a travesty and apparently a trend we’ve grown to see in “world class” boxing. The outcome of this fight is a disgrace to the sport, to the judges in attendance, and to HBO sports for allowing such impropriety to persist. I am a long time supporter, fan, and ex-fighter and have seen the degradation through the years but never has it been as exaggerated as in recent years. Anyone who can say that Forrest won this fight has financial reasons for their conclusion. Period.
Vernon Forrest comment “What do the fans know they are not the judges” says it all. He knew he lost. This is worse than the Winke Wright fight, one of the judges was also a judge at that fight. Next time they should find some judges that know something about boxing. Ike Quartey earned the win, Vernon Forrest was given a gift by the judges.
Hi…I am not a fighter but an armchair critic so excuse me please.
boxing has to compete with other sports to survive.
Ultimate fighting and wrestling among the myriad. there is money available and what if the pipeline is syphoned off?
Boxing needs to stay at a certain level to maintain credibility to survive and improve an image that is often at odds with the spirit and intent of boxing.Or so I believe….
Carl
The same way Dela Hoya was robbed in the Mosely fight, Quartey was robbed on Saturday. The judges should be subject to polygraphs before the decisions are read.
The decision in the Quartey/Forrest fight is a disgrace to boxing. Did all three judges get their score cards mixed-up?
I actually beleive the decision was going to be change. Hoping that the Judges will come out and say we got the cards mixed up. This is boxing not politics and all three Judges should not be allow to judge a boxing match again. Shame to all three Judges and the NY Commissioner who allowed such an embaressment to the sports of boxing. This is undoubtly the greatest disgrace of all time in boxing history!
My question is, could even the resemblance of a win be denied Quartey if he were an American? Would Forrest also had been given this win were he a poor west African? The judges clearly stole the verdict for Forrest and shd all be banned from all activities relatefd to Boxing. I wouldn’ be surprised to see them all investigated. This is a shame to Boxing…