THE British Boxing Board of Control will hold a hearing into the John McDermott-Tyson Fury fight on Wednesday 23rd September. McDermott was robbed of his english heavyweight title when referee Terry O’Connor handed Fury an amazing 98-92 win at Brentwood Arena on Friday. McDermott’s promoter Frank Maloney claim he is yet to meet one person who thought Fury won the contest. Maloney held talks with BBB of C general secretary Robert Smith who informed him of the hearing. Maloney said: “The Board have informed that they need time to review the film of the fight and that the main parties will be called on September 23 at a full hearing..
“I have been told my comments that were reported in various newspapers, internet sites, TV and Radio stations have been noted, but I stand by everything I said.
“At the hearing I will be asking for the fight result to be overturned or ruled a no-contest, action to be taken the referee and that any rematch promoted by myself.
“Why should it go to purse bids when I have been short changed by an official appointed by the British Board of Control?
“I will be well prepared for the hearing and fighting for the future of boxing’s image, which has been dented by this debacle.
“All I want is justice for John and I will go all the way to a court of law to get it if needed.”
It emerged at the weekend that McDermott’s dad Stan who worked his corner had knocked out O’Connor when they met as professionals in December 1977.
Maloney has now also discovered that Stan also stopped O’Connor when they were both amateurs.
Maloney added: “Despite what people might think this is not a personal crusade against O’Connor as we have shared many a joke, but this is no joke.
“He has made a terrible mistake that has left a young man wondering if it worth boxing professionally.
“Now it has been brought to my attention that Stan beat Terry not just as a professional, but in the amateur days.
“I have been speaking with a sports psychologist and I believe that may have had a bearing on the result.”
Frank Maloney Calls For Public Enquiry
FRANK MALONEY wants the British Boxing Board of Control to hold a public enquiry over the ‘Furygate’ scandal. Maloney has already demanded that the Board amend the result of Tyson Fury’s controversial English heavyweight championship points win over John McDermott. He wants McDermott handed the win or the result changed to a ‘no-contest’ following referee Terry O’Connor’s performance.
Maloney wants an open book on any hearing the BBB of C stage into O’Connor’s 98-92 score in favour of Fury at Brentwood Arena on Friday. Maloney said: “I have spoken to the Chairman of the Board, Charles Giles who has informed me that the Board are making the matter their priority on Monday morning. “This has done the biggest damage to British boxing since I fell in love with the sport at the age of ten. This is something the Board cannot brush under the carpet. I am going to ask that any enquiry into the fight is held in public – not behind closed doors like a gentleman’s club.
“That way there are no secrets and the public can see that the self appointed governing body are open and fair with all licence holders. It will also help restore confidence after this debacle.
“If The Board think they can order a rematch and that I will then go away happy then they can think again.
“When I paid a record purse for an English title fight I expected fair play. I never got it, paying customers never got it, Sky television viewers never got it and most of all John never got it.”
Maloney has also been amazed by the reaction on internet forums worldwide and Britain’s national newspapers.
He revealed: “I was in my office at 8.30am on Sunday morning and one of my e-mail boxes was full of comments about the decision.
“There has been mass support from posters on numerous internet sites who are angry over the result.
“I was even stopped during a shopping trip on Saturday afternoon and when I went to my local Chinese restaurant later in the evening with people asking what the scoring was all about.
“National Sunday newspapers have even given the scandal coverage as it is obvious John McDermott has suffered an injustice.
“This isn’t just going to go away and I won’t allow it to until justice is done.”