Team Phiri ask WBC to investigate judging in McMahon fight

Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) have lodged an appeal with the WBC over the defeat of their fighter Catherine Phiri by Irish star Christina McMahon.

McMahon won the WBC Interim bantamweight title thanks to a 95-95, 94-97, 95-97 majority decision last Saturday night and returned home to a hero’s welcome this week.

However, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) director of operations Christopher Malunga said at a briefing in Lusaka yesterday that an appeal over the judging has been made and claimed a WBC investigation in the scoring is underway.

The WBC haven’t confirmed whether they are reviewing the decision as of yet, however Malunga claimed,

“WBC has requested the commissioner to send the scoring cards and the DVD for the fight. They have communicated to me directly requesting for a DVD which I will send soon with DHL. Nevertheless, we still respect the judge’s decision but we are still waiting to hear from WBC. We will follow whatever their verdict will be,” Malunga said.

The action seems strange considering the media ringside including local media, to whom Phiri is a firm favourite, claimed McMahon was a worthy winner and used superior experience to get the decision.

Indeed the local favourites coach claimed his fighter was issued a wake up call and thought valuable boxing lessons by Ireland’s only pro female fighter.

Coach Mike ‘Weaver’ Zulu said, “She is an awkward boxer. Very unpredictable. This is the first time Catherine was fighting such a boxer. I am happy that she has met a boxer like her in her career. We have learnt a lot of lessons, the loss is a wakeup call.”