Press release: Sycuan Ringside Promotions has expressed disappointment and concern that the New Jersey Athletic Control Board (NJACB) has selected an inexperienced referee to work the Carlos Baldomir-Arturo Gatti World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight championship bout Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J.
 
The NJACB has announced that Wayne Hedgepeth, who has worked only two 12- and four 10-round fights during the past eight-plus years, will be the referee. 
 
“I can’t fathom why a referee with limited experience has been selected to work a fight the magnitude of Baldomir-Gatti, a grueling bout featuring two demanding styles,” said Scott Woodworth, vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, which is Baldomir’s promoter.  “There is no question that we at Sycuan Ringside Promotions object to the selection of Hedgepeth at this time.

“What is a question, though, is why Gatti’s promoters are not concerned about this inexperienced referee.”
 
A sell-out crowd has been announced for the 12-round bout that will be televised on HBO at 10 ET/7 PT. 

Unbeaten in his past 20 fights, Baldomir (42-9-6, 12 KOs) of Santa Fe, Argentina, won the WBC welterweight title with a 12-round decision over Zab Judah Jan. 7, 2006, in New York.  Gatti (40-7, 31 KOs) of Jersey City, N.J., has fought his past seven fights in Atlantic City and 21 in all.