Boxing Fans Eagerly Await Usyk-Fury Rematch with Potential Instant Replay Ruling
The upcoming Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury heavyweight title rematch on December 21st has taken an intriguing turn, as the World Boxing Council (WBC) is now demanding the use of instant replay to review any contentious incidents during the fight.
WBC Pushes for Instant Replay
This rule was first implemented by the WBC back in 2008, but has rarely been put into practice due to governance conflicts between sanctioning bodies. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), for instance, has rejected video replay as a means to overturn a referee’s decision, citing concerns that the pause required to review footage would ultimately harm the flow and pace of the sport.
The BBBoC’s substantial involvement in boxing events staged in Saudi Arabia played a key role in the WBC’s wish to add replays to the rules for the first Usyk-Fury bout being denied back in May. Furthermore, none of the other three sanctioning bodies involved in that fight – the WBA, IBF and WBO – recognize such technology within their own regulations.
“Video replay is a rule that the WBC has had for a few years but it is a complicated situation with the BBBoC as they do not accept its use,” revealed Mauricio Sulaiman, the head of the WBC. “However, during the rules meetings of the last fight between Fury and Usyk we demanded that the video replay be used for the WBC’s sake. We will be pushing for it in the rematch and every fight we are involved in.”
Potential Challenges with Implementing Instant Replay
Should a controversial incident occur, it remains unclear how the WBC would be able to overrule the event’s governing body and the other sanctioning organizations to halt the action and review the footage. This speaks to the ongoing issue of too many cooks in boxing’s kitchen when it comes to rules and regulations.
Potential Changes to Judging System
The WBC is also lobbying for six judges to be utilized in the Usyk-Fury rematch, as opposed to the conventional three-judge system. Boxing enthusiasts will be closely monitoring these developments in the lead-up to what promises to be a thrilling heavyweight title showdown.
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