In a bid to ensure the utmost fairness in the upcoming undisputed clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18, the World Boxing Council (WBC) is pushing for a significant change in the officiating setup. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has advocated for an increase in the number of ringside judges, proposing a shift from the conventional three officials to either five or six.
Sulaiman emphasized the importance of this heavyweight championship bout for boxing and believes that introducing more judges could minimize the likelihood of controversial decisions. Despite acknowledging the sport’s resistance to change due to its traditional nature, Sulaiman remains determined to push forward with the proposal.
He cited the success of the WBC’s remote scoring system, which allows officials worldwide to score fights live, as evidence supporting the efficacy of having more judges. By spreading the responsibility across multiple officials, the risk of a single judge’s error significantly decreases, ensuring a fairer outcome for the fighters.
Furthermore, Sulaiman expressed confidence in the potential use of video replays during the Fury vs. Usyk bout. While still in the developmental stage, Sulaiman revealed that discussions are underway to establish specific guidelines for implementing instant replay technology.
The goal is to utilize video replays to address any major controversies or contentious moments during the fight promptly. Sulaiman stressed that in a bout of such magnitude, any hint of controversy would be deemed unacceptable, underscoring the need for absolute certainty in officiating decisions.
With these proposed changes, the WBC aims to uphold the integrity of the sport and ensure that the Fury vs. Usyk showdown lives up to its billing as one of the most significant heavyweight fights in recent memory.