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Judges Award Ardreal Holmes Controversial Technical Split
Decision Over Wendy Toussaint
It seemed as though from the onset, Saturday night (6/3)
would be a memorable one for WENDY “HAITIAN FIRE” TOUSSAINT
(now 14-2 6KO’s) in Detroit. Toussaint squared up with local
fan favorite and undefeated super welterweight ARDREAL "BOSSMAN"
HOLMES JR. (Now 14-0 5KO’s) for the vacant IBF-USBA Super
Welterweight Title at Little Caesars Arena on DAZN. The
Holmes-Toussaint co-feature was in support of the CLARESSA
SHIELDS-MARICELA CORNEJO undisputed super middleweight main
event.
As the opening bell rang, both Toussaint and Holmes worked
to find their range and footing. In the fourth round, as
Toussaint was working Holmes against the ropes, Holmes
ducked to avoid a hook while Toussaint responded with a
chopping right hand. Referee Gerard White questionably
stopped the action and inexplicably deducted a point from
Toussaint for hitting to the back of the head, which would
later turn out to be pivotal in the decision.
Things began to turn up a notch heading into the fifth round
as Toussaint came out with vengeance, pressuring Holmes, who
spent much of the fight against the ropes. In the sixth and
seventh rounds, Holmes continued to backpedal, pawing with
his lead left hand, as Toussaint applied the pressure,
putting punches together to both the body and the head. By
the 8th Toussaint was controlling both the fight and
pressing the action. Holmes corner was imploring Holmes to
fight, rightfully advising him he needed a knockout to win.
In the 8th, Holmes, came out and met Toussaint at center of
the ring when a vicious clash of heads opened a gash across
Toussaint’s forehead causing a waterfall of blood that
splattered the blue canvas, red.
In spite of the ringside doctor allowing Toussaint to
continue and Toussaint’s desire to have the fight continue
feeling he was en route to a stoppage victory, the referee
was clearly concerned about the cut. The bout was allowed to
briefly resume as Toussaint and Holmes unleashed a barrage
of punches as blood sprayed. Referee Gerard White stepped in
roughly seconds later and stopped the fight due to the cut
caused by the accidental head butt.
With the stoppage happening after 4 full rounds, and the
head butt being ruled accidental, the fight went to the
scorecards. The judges ruled in favor of Holmes by Technical
Split Decision (76-75 Holmes, 77-74 Holmes, 77-74
Toussaint), with the pivotal 4th round point deduction
changing the fight from a technical draw to a technical
split decision. After the scores were read, the entirety of
Little Caesars Arena began to loudly boo the victory being
awarded to their own hometown favorite, not being shy about
how they felt about the highly questionable decision.
Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA had this to say about the
decision, “We hope the USBA will order an immediate rematch
and we will take the necessary steps to see that through.
Wendy deserved the win last night in Detroit. It’s simple as
that. It is rare to see hometown arena boo a decision
against a hometown fighter - that’s all you need to know
about the decision, and kudos to the Detroit fans. We are
proud of the effort Wendy put forth. He made the fight,
brought the action, controlled the tempo and exhibited a
warrior mentality, begging the ref to continue the fight
through a nasty cut, with his own blood pouring down his
face. We feel Wendy should have been declared the winner and
will look into all options available to us for him.”
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