Connect with us

Articles of 2006

Toney/Peter Result Revisited: On Judge Flaherty

Published

on

Big Bob Mladinich beat me to the punch in securing an interview with Massachusetts judge Dick Flaherty, one of the two arbiters who saw Samuel Peter winning nine rounds to James Toney's three on Saturday night.

Big Bob is truly a consummate gentleman, not as prone to argument as I, so perhaps it is best that I didn't get the chance to quiz Flaherty on his reasoning for choosing Peter by such a wide margin.

Do you give credit for ring generalship, for defensive adeptness, I would have asked, and perhaps my tone would have betrayed my skepticism. After all, these are men's careers and massive earnings power at stake here. The stakes are huge and we must ensure that the judges who are in charge of such high stakes decisions are up to the task…

Flaherty and I have a history, not that I believe he'd recall it. My own memory is impacted by time and collegiate habits, I must admit…

I know the show was in Massachusetts, and I know one of the out-of-towners brought in to lose handled one of the guys that was supposed to win.

I believe it was in Whitman, on a Vinnie Vecchione/KO1 special.

I think it was 1996.

I think it was Ed McAloney. The hard luck guy might have been Alex Ortiz, or Santiago Coriano.

Or maybe it was Robbie Sanchez, and the giftee was Kevin Watts.

Flaherty, one of the judges, awarded the more aggressive, but less effective boxer, and spurned the more subtle display of pugilism offered by the underdog.

He was one of three who didn't give the designated loser a deserved win and I asked him about it afterwards. In a semi heated fashion, I will admit, being a fan of fairness and all.

He barked back at me in defense of his card. We locked eyes and glared. It wasn’t a tender moment. I always kept that incident in the back of my mind.

So I read Big Bob's interview with Dick, and I wasn't enthralled with Flaherty's take. I thought he lacked humility and his defense did nothing, absolutely nothing, to make me see things his way.

“No one within the commission was critical of my score,” said Flaherty. “The fact is, I think my reputation speaks for itself. I always give 110 percent. My eyes and mind are totally focused on what’s going on in the ring.”

Just because no one was critical of the score to your face, Dick, the fact that 28 of 29 media members surveyed by Dan Goossen's people saw the fight for Toney doesn't give you a moment's pause? Well, it should.

“You can’t get nervous and you can’t second guess or be influenced by others,” said Flaherty to Big Bob. “You have to have faith in your own abilities. Having done this for so long, I have tremendous faith in my ability to officiate fairly and objectively.”

Glad you do, Dick. I don't, to be succinct. And just because someone has done something for a long time, that doesn't in fact prove his or her competence. I resist the urge to make a political jab at this point…

“In my opinion Toney was out-hustled by Peter,” he said. “Toney took rounds off and Peter, to his credit, outworked him. He was forcing the action and actually out-jabbing Toney, which is not easy to do.”

Really, Dick? I wouldn't agree with that. Peter's nose told the tale in that regard.

I'm still waiting for CompuBox numbers on this one, but I'd be soooo surprised if stats bore you out on this assertion…

And is “hustle” your top ingredient in judging a fight? Who “hustles” more determines who gets the decision? What about skill, Dick? Because Peter “forced the action” he deserved to win 9 of 12 rounds?

I talked to Bert Sugar on Wednesday and he agreed that Flaherty's card was off, way off.

“Why don't we just throw the subtleties and just reward aggressiveness, judge it like a Toughman Contest?” Sugar said.

Boxing fans jump off the bandwagon with every bad decision, so we have to do what we can to minimize them. A closer margin of victory would have lessened the leeriness towards the two 116-111 cards. But saying Toney won only three rounds? That's hard to stomach for everyone I've talked to not associated with Peter's team.

I suggest you get a tape of that fight, Dick Flaherty, and score the bout again.

Because men's lives, and careers are at stake, and it's the right thing to do.

SPEEDBAG

Slowest Saturday we’ve had in recent memory, eh? Ollie McCall is the biggest name in action on our shores. Saw a recent story in a paper that trumpeted McCall as having beaten his demons. Those McCall demons are a hearty, make that party hearty, breed, so I wouldn’t have been so quick to judge him as rehabilitated if I were the headline writer…

–You all looking forward to the mega OLN card next Thursday as much as I am? What’s that? You didn’t know that Kid Diamond was featured on an OLN card next week? Ouch… Got to say, that series, featuring subpar main events and taped megabouts that we’ve all seen umpteen times, must be classified as a major disappointment. It reads now like Arum is misusing the opportunity massively.

–Joe Mesi tries to make it four in a row in his comeback streak on Sept. 15. He’ll work over 36-year-old Jason Weiss (3-1) in Michigan. Hey, Jacko, for 20 Gs I’ll take the whacks.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles23 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles23 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending