Referee Escapes Investigation Despite Wilder's Fury Over Chisora Fight Officiating
The British Boxing Board of Control has confirmed that referee Mark Bates will face no disciplinary action following his controversial performance in Derek Chisora's farewell fight against Deontay Wilder last weekend in London. This decision comes despite Wilder's vocal criticism of Bates' handling of the bout, which the American victor described as "crazy" and dangerous.
Wilder's Safety Concerns After Contentious Victory
Deontay Wilder emerged victorious from a sloppy but absorbing twelve-round contest that saw both fighters hit the canvas, with Chisora suffering two knockdowns. However, Wilder's post-fight comments focused not on his triumph but on what he perceived as serious officiating failures that compromised fighter safety.
"I got hit in the head at least 10-12 times," Wilder revealed after the fight. "Do you know how many fighters got hit in the head and don't wake up tomorrow? That's why I might not even go to sleep tonight."
The former heavyweight champion expressed particular concern about repeated blows to the back of his head, which he claimed the referee had specifically been asked to prevent before the bout began. Wilder argued these infractions should have resulted in disqualification, especially when combined with an incident where Chisora's coaching team stormed the ring during the first round.
Manager Outlines Multiple Alleged Rule Violations
Wilder's manager Shelly Finkel provided a detailed breakdown of what he considered officiating errors during the London contest:
- Automatic disqualification should have occurred when Chisora's corner entered the ring
- Proper protocol wasn't followed when Chisora nearly tumbled through the ropes
- Appropriate eight-counts weren't administered during knockdown situations
- Points should have been deducted for punches thrown after the bell
- The referee improperly interfered when Chisora touched his eye during the fight
"These are the rules of the game," Finkel emphasized. "I'm glad my guy won because I thought he was going to get robbed."
Governing Body Stands By Referee's Performance
Despite these serious allegations from Wilder's camp, The Ring magazine reports that the British Boxing Board of Control has reviewed the bout and expressed satisfaction with Mark Bates' performance. The governing body has confirmed that no investigation will be launched into the referee's conduct during the high-profile heavyweight clash.
This decision allows Bates to continue officiating at the highest levels of British boxing, though it leaves unresolved Wilder's concerns about fighter safety and proper rule enforcement. The controversy emerges as Wilder eyes potential future matchups, including a possible bout with Anthony Joshua, who issued a ringside call-out following the Chisora victory.
The London fight marked Derek Chisora's farewell appearance after a long professional career, though the event will be remembered as much for its officiating controversy as for the British fighter's retirement. With the governing body standing firmly behind their referee, the boxing world now awaits Wilder's next move and whether this incident will influence his future participation in fights officiated under British boxing jurisdiction.
