WBC, Mississippi locked in judge dispute

The WBC might appoint a second set of judges for the Timothy Bradley-Edner Cherry 140-pound title fight this weekend because it is unhappy that the state of Mississippi is selecting its own judges for the fight. Unless the dispute is resolved, there could also be two sets of judges for the WBC featherweight eliminator between Elio Rojas and Hector Velazquez, which is also scheduled for the same show, September 13th in Biloxi, Mississippi. According to a WBC press release, “the boxing commission of Mississippi has emphatically refused to accept WBC participation. Consequently, the WBC cannot agree to sanction any official WBC world title fight or elimination fight of our organization under these circumstances, as it would be an infringement or violation of the law... The WBC has respectfully, amicably, and very humbly contacted the Mississippi commission requesting their change of position, hoping to find their collaboration and reciprocity by extending us the courtesy of accepting the appointment of at least two WBC neutral judges, appointed in mutual agreement, while accepting the appointment of two local officials, as it is customarily done in most states in the United States. Very unfortunately, they have refused and rejected all WBC participation... Consequently, the WBC has decided to buy three ringside tickets for three judges.. and these judges will provide the final and official result for the world of boxing for the WBC world championship fight and elimination fight. The WBC will respect the scoring of the Mississippi commission due to their right to do so in their state, but it will not count for the WBC world championship recognition or in the final elimination fight. [Unless a compromise is reached], the WBC will respect, absolutely, the scoring of the three judges appointed by the WBC sitting in the audience."