NEW YORK, NEW YORK, (April 15, 2011) Middleweight world title challenger Giovanni Lorenzo has filed a protest with the World Boxing Association in regards to the unprofessional conduct taken by WBA Judge Stefano Corozza during Lorenzo’s Interim World Middleweight Championship against Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam held on April 2, 2011 in Le Cannet, France.
During the course of the fifth round of a highly competitive bout, Lorenzo’s powerful combinations forced N’Dam N’Jikam into the ropes finishing with a devastating right upper cut that knocks him through the ropes and onto the ring apron.
Following N’Dam N’Jikam’s fall onto the apron, two people are clearly seen attempting to help him back into the ring, one an unnamed photographer and the second WBA Judge Stefano Corozza.
Corozza is seen in a video of the fight helping push N’Dam N’Jikam back into the ring, going so far as assisting him with the ropes as he attempts to re-enter the ring.
According to the WBA Contest Rules a boxer can be disqualified if he is given help to get back to his feet either by a cornerman or third party. Clearly referee Hubert Earle was within his rights at this point to declare Lorenzo the winner.
Other irregularities which took place during the course of the event include an attempt by N’Dam N’Jikam’s team to illegally wrap his hands, a point which was only noticed by Lorenzo’s trainer, Ray Farrait, despite WBA Judge Philippe Verbeke overseeing the proceedings.
In addition, the ludicrous scoring (119-109, 119-110 and 116-110) of the bout is a major cause for concern. The most alarming point among many is that despite Lorenzo dropping N’Dam N’Jikam in the fifth round, two judges, Stefano Corozza and Juan Manuel Perez, scored the round 10-9 for Lorenzo as opposed to the standard 10-8 when a knockdown occurs.
With these cumulative and unprofessional acts of conduct by members of the WBA, Giovanni Lorenzo is insisting that the WBA Championship Committee grant an immediate rematch against N’Dam N’JIkam for the WBA Interim World Middleweight Championship.
Filipino Prospect Escalante Hits San Francisco
Super bantamweight prospect Bruno Escalante Jr. returns to the Bay Area for the third straight time in his professional career as he takes on crafty Shaun Solomon in a four-round swing bout on tonight’s Telefutura Solo Boxeo undercard, emanating from the Longshoremen’s Hall in San Francisco, California.
The Filipino-born former National PAL Champion dominated Martin “Tarzan” Sandoval en route to a second-round knockout February 25th at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California. In addition to notching the impressive victory, Escalante signed a managerial contract with boxing hype man Repo Ric, who gets him right back in the ring tonight.
Escalante (2-0-1, 1 KO) of San Carlos, California by way of Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines was one of the country’s top amateurs at 112-pounds before turning pro a little over a year ago will again be fighting a naturally larger opponent. It is a scenario the tenacious Escalante come to accept, considering the lack of viable opponents at his natural weight class. “Repo Ric helps me a lot,” said Escalante of his manager, who matched his fight tonight. “I know he has worked his ass off to get me fights and I know it is hard to get me fights because I am so small.”
While Escalante grew up in Hawaii, he has made San Carlos his home away from home, while training under Brian Schwartz at the Undisputed Boxing Gym. Fighting before the Bay Area fight fans, especially considering the large population of Filipinos within that group, is something that excites Escalante. “It is really nice fighting here. I am really excited to give the local fans the opportunity to see my fighting style and how I work.”
Solomon (1-2-1) of Moreno Valley, California may not have the most intimidating record, but he has been matched incredibly tough in his brief pro career. Solomon ran into the buzzsaw known as Roman Morales his last time out, which accounts for his only stoppage defeat. Escalante knows very little about his opponent, but is confident nonetheless. “I am fighting a left-hander,” states Escalante. “I don’t really know about him, but I will stick to my game plan and it will work, you will see.”
While Escalante may not know much about Solomon, his manager Repo Ric is quite familiar with the crafty southpaw. Ric also manages Roman Morales, and saw first hand what Solomon brings to the ring. “He’s fighting a left handed opponent that is very aggressive,” says Repo. “His record is not what he is all about. You can’t go by his record. The kid is aggressive. If he catches [Solomon] out of shape, then he’s got him. But if he’s caught the kid in shape, we are going the full four rounds. Other than that, we should go a round-and-a-half and we should be done.”
Escalante’s growing local fan base appears to be coming out in full force tonight in San Francisco. “He’s sold 80 something tickets as of [Thursday night] and hopefully by tomorrow we should hit 100, and that’s not counting the walk-ups,” says Repo Ric.
All that is left to do is to send them home happy.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions, Jorge Marron Productions and Paco Presents, are available online at http://theboxingtruth.vbotickets.com/events