REFEREE Mark Bates will not face any sanction for his officiating throughout Deontay Wilder’s win over Derek Chisora.
Wilder sent Chisora into retirement on a loss following a split-decision victory after 12 chaotic and at times farcical rounds.
The two were involved in a tussle on the ropes in round one which saw Chisora’s coach run into the ring – which could have resulted in disqualification.
In round eight, Chisora, 42, was knocked through the ropes and one of his cornermen helped him up to his feet – another DQ violation.
Wilder and his Hall of Fame manager Shelly Finkel fumed at the officiating in the aftermath of the bout.
The Bronze Bomber, 40, said: “It’s supposed to be a disqualification because someone in his team ran into the ring.
“I mean damn, I’m fighting Derek and the referee, it is crazy.”
Finkel said: “One, if your corner enters the ring, it’s an automatic disqualification.
“Number two, if you’re knocked out of the ring you have 20 seconds to get in but you’re not allowed to be helped by your corner.
“Number three, if you get hit and you’re falling but you grab the rope, it’s an automatic eight-count.
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“Number four, if you get hit after the bell, it’s the ref’s discretion to take a point off.
“Number five, when Derek stepped back and touched his eye, that’s not allowed. You either stop the fight or you don’t interfere.
“These are the rules of the game. I’m glad my guy won because I thought he was going to get robbed.”
Wilder called for an investigation, stating: “I just hope and pray the boxing commissions, the people, do something about these things.
“That referee shouldn’t be able to ref again. That’s just my honest opinion. How many times did I get hit in the back of the head?
“The referee asked if we had any questions and it was one of the things that we asked him not to allow — being hit in the back of the head.”
The British Boxing Board of Control did probe Bates – but concluded that they were satisfied with his display and no further action will be taken.
A board meeting is due to be held later this week where it will be discussed in more detail – but Bates has escaped any disciplinary action.
