Australian boxing promoter Matt Rose has demanded Liam Wilson’s controversial world title loss immediately be declared a No Contest, stating: “He was robbed, Australia should have a new world champion”.
Despite being dropped, and stopped in the ninth round of his WBO super featherweight title fight against Emanuel Navarrete, Team Wilson are claiming the Queenslander was robbed of victory.
As a result, Rose is demanding the Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission overturn the decision, convinced Navarrete was given a long count of 27 seconds after being dropped himself by Wilson in the fourth.
The No Limit fight boss even suggested his US contemporaries Top Rank, who promote Navarrete, thought the count was long.
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During the prolonged count, Navarrete also appeared to deliberately spit out his mouthguard – an obvious stalling tactic – which helped delay proceedings.
“We’ve lodged a protest,” Rose said backstage after the fight.
“I hope the Commission look at it the way everyone else saw it and they overturn the result to a No Contest so Liam gets another crack straight away.
“He was robbed, definitely.
“He was robbed.
“Liam should be a world champion.
“The count was long in that fourth round, everyone knows it was long.
“Even Top Rank, (Navarrete’s) own promoters said the count was long.”
Rose also praised Wilson for an incredibly tough week that also included ‘Scalegate’ – with suggestions the official weigh-in scales were tampered with so that Navarrete could weigh in heavy.
“The fourth round showed Liam was capable of winning the fight,” Rose said.
“There has been some concerning things happen around the weigh in, and the referee in the ring … I take my hat off to Liam.
“No one gave him a chance and for him to do what he did and the performance he put on … there were plenty of times in that fight when it looked like Liam was going to end the fight.
“And everyone at that venue saw how long that count was, including Top Rank.
“They we were sitting right next to me and agreed it was a long count.
“It’s happened to plenty of fighters before and it will continue to happen until authorities stamp out this officiating.
“It’s sad.
“We should be in here celebrating right now.
“I feel sorry for Liam. He did all the hard work and he deserves to be the champion right now.
“Australia should have another world champion.”
Mystery mouthpiece robs Wilson? | 00:49
Rose also praised Wilson, who was an 18/1 underdog in the US, for an “unbelievable” performance.
“Liam really showed he is world class,” he said. “Navarrete is now a three division world champion and no one gave Liam a chance.
“He still shocked the world.
“Liam is a warrior.
“He’s the type of fighter people love to watch and support. We have a little champion that is exciting and worth following … not many guys around the world fight like he does.”