Fans accuse WBC of ‘making up rules’ after rare use of ‘boxing VAR’ sees star awarded retrospective knockdown
BOXING champion Julio Cesar Martinez was retrospectively awarded a knockdown following a rare use of VAR.
The WBC have been known to use instant replays in the past, including a 2019 fight with Martinez.
This time, the Mexican was given a 10-8 round against Ronal Batista after the referee initially failed to score it a knockdown.
But upon replays, the decision was overturned and the knockdown was scored.
It left some fans in confusion and accusing the WBC of making up their own rules.
One said: “VAR in boxing now?”
Another added: “Mauricio Sulaiman the belt specialist making up rules for the Eddy Reynoso camp.”
One commented: “Since when did that come into play???”
Another wrote: “Nah VAR has already ruined football now boxing is next.”
Martinez in 2019 saw a knockout against Charlie Edwards overturned to a no-contest due to low-blows.
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The result was initially announced as a Martinez win until WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman got in the ring to change the decision.
Martinez, 28, went on to beat Batista, 26, by majority decision, retaining his flyweight title.
And it could set up a unification with Britain’s IBF champion Sunny Edwards, 27.