Boxing Official Recommends Duarte’s Win Be Overturned

Marty Denkin, ringside representative for the State Athletic Commission and the North American Boxing Federation, has recommended to the federation that Frankie Duarte’s victory over NABF bantamweight challenger Albert Davila be overturned.

Denkin cited a lapse in procedure by referee Lou Filippo, who should have allowed Saturday’s nationally televised fight at the Forum to be decided by the officials’ scorecards at the time he stopped the fight.

Filippo erred, Denkin said, by not conferring with judges when Davila first complained of an accidental head butt. Filippo said he didn’t see it, but policy dictates that he ask one or more judges for their opinion. All three later told Denkin they saw one or more butts by Duarte.

According to state policy, a fighter cannot lose the fight as a result of an accidental head butt if he is winning. Davila, even though bleeding badly from a cut above his left eye that was caused or worsened by the butt early in the bout, was winning on all three judges’ scorecards when Filippo stopped the fight in the 10th round.

The federation, which accepted Denkin’s recommendation, can not overturn the decision. However, it will recommend in a letter to the State Athletic Commission that the state reverse the decision. The commission will hear the matter July 17 in Fresno.

According to Denkin, the commission can accept the recommendation and make Davila the NABF and state bantamweight champion. However, if the commission does not reverse the decision, the NABF has the authority to order a rematch, with Duarte retaining the title in the meantime. If Duarte refuses a rematch, the NABF would strip his title and match Davila and Gaby Canizales for the vacant championship.

Dan Goossen, manager of Duarte, said Denkin’s recommendation was merely that, “a recommendation. Albert Davila has the right to protest. But when all is said and done, I feel real confident Frankie’s victory will stand.”

Davila, a former bantamweight champion, protested the fight almost immediately to Denkin.