Jonathan Reid protests UK loss to Paul Smith

01/04/2007

Jonathan Reid protests UK loss to Paul Smith

Press Release: Over the weekend, The Contender people brought a group of their boxers over to England for an evening of fights on a Frank Warren-promoted show. Things generally went well for the Americans, but one boxer complains he was victimized by a referee's decision. Jonathan Reid was knocked down by Paul Smith (20-0) in the seventh round of a close fight, although Reid was behind on the official scorecards. Reid got up and appeared fully recovered when he was wrestled to the canvas. The referee then ruled no knockdown but also stopped the fight for a TKO win to Smith. Reid's manager Matt Yanofsky has released the following complaint: "In the 7th round of the contest, Reid was knocked down by a left hand from Smith. Reid rose from the knockdown, and referee Victor Loughlin let him continue. Seconds later, Smith wrestled Reid to the ground and Loughlin properly ruled it no knockdown. Reid quickly and alertly got back on his feet to continue the contest. As Reid stood up, Loughlin improperly decided to stop the contest for no reason what so ever. This ludicrous decision left everyone in attendance and even the British announcers shocked and questioning the referee’s choice.
 I am informing the British Boxing Board and promoter Mr. Frank Warren to expect a protest from team Reid in the near future for this unjust and corrupt stoppage." [Editor's note: even Warren's website criticized the stoppage and said "it was difficult not to feel considerable sympathy" for Reid.]