Fight fans were treated to a wildly entertaining and captivating heavyweight clash. One between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder at the iconic London O2 Arena.
American heavyweight puncher Wilder. The heavyweight champion who held the World Boxing Championship title for half a decade (2015–2020). Came out on top by split decision after a bruising battle in which he knocked down his British opponent twice. Judges scored it 115–111 and 115–113 for Wilder, while a third gave it 115–112 to Chisora.
Referee Mark Bates came under intense criticism immediately. The bout for what fans perceived as preferential treatment for home fighter Chisora. With Wilder himself saying he felt like he was “fighting Derek and the referee”.
Despite this, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) announced that no disciplinary action would be taken.
The controversies
Wilder’s team cited specific rule violations they believe Bates mishandled:
Round 1:Corner enters the ring. As the fighters tangled on the ropes, a member of Chisora’s corner, Alexis Demetriades, stepped into the ring.
By the letter of the law, this is an automatic disqualification. Bates did not stop the fight.
Round 8:Corner helps Chisora: After Wilder knocked Chisora through the ropes, a corner man appeared to help the Briton back up.
Under the rules, a fighter cannot be assisted by his corner.
Wilder also claimed Chisora hit him illegally on the back of the head “10 to 12 times.”Furthermore, Wilder’s team said they warned Bates before the fight to watch for rabbit punches. When Wilder retaliated, Bates warned him instead.
Bates also deducted a point from Wilder for pushing, but did not give Chisora an eight-count when he grabbed the ropes, and allowed Chisora to pause the action after complaining about his eye.
The backlash
Despite emerging victorious, Wilder complained, “I got hit in the head at least 10-12 times and then when I finally retaliate and hit back, you’re pointing fingers at me,” he said.”That referee shouldn’t be allowed to ref again”.
Broadcaster Al Bernstein was damning, saying, “Mark Bates added his name to the long list of British refs who have been outrageously biased to try and help British fighters win”.
The board’s decision
However, BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith told The Ring that the board was “satisfied with Bates’ performance” and would take no disciplinary action.
Smith defended Bates on the contested incidents. Regarding the corner entering the ring in Round One, he said Bates used his “discretion” to allow the fight to continue after warning Demetriades, and that a second breach would have resulted in disqualification.
A routine board meeting will review all officiating performances, but Smith has already confirmed no sanctions will follow.
Additionally, in the board’s opinion. Bates handled a difficult and chaotic fight competently. He used his discretion appropriately and kept the contest going rather than ending it on a technicality.
While Wilder and his fans will not agree, under BBBofC rules. The referee’s judgment on real-time incidents carries significant weight, and in this case, that judgment was enough.
In their eyes, Bates didn’t.
- He managed a messy, physical fight.
- He made quick decisions.
- He kept the fight going.
And in boxing, that counts for a lot.
The Truth Most Fans Don’t Want to Hear: Not every bad call leads to punishment. Not every controversial moment means bias. Sometimes, it just means the referee saw it differently. That’s the uncomfortable part of boxing.
Final Thoughts
Mark Bates walked away from this fight without any punishment. Not because everything he did was perfect, but because it didn’t break the rules enough to justify action. Still, for Wilder, his team, and a lot of fans, that explanation doesn’t sit well. And maybe it never will.
