Jermaine Franklin Jr. Shocks Boxing World
In a surprising turn of events on the Canelo vs. Crawford undercard at Allegiant Stadium, Jermaine Franklin Jr. emerged victorious, shocking many observers as he handed Ivan Dychko his first defeat. The heavyweight bout, spanning ten rounds, was anything but definitive, leaving intense debate and frustration among fans and analysts alike.
Fight Overview
Dychko, a celebrated two-time Olympic bronze medalist, initially appeared to dominate the fight, effectively utilizing his jab and superior reach to keep Franklin at bay. The Kazakh fighter showcased impressive footwork and strategy, dictating the pace of the match while Franklin, who is still known for his defeat against Anthony Joshua, struggled to find his rhythm, looking out of shape and slow.
As the match unfolded, Dychko built a clear advantage by round six, consistently frustrating Franklin with his control over distance and tempo. Meanwhile, Franklin struggled to land effective punches, often advancing without a clear plan. While he showed fleeting moments of aggression in the latter rounds, they were largely ineffective and unable to disrupt Dychko’s game plan.
Controversial Decision
By the end of the contest, most observers believed Dychko had rightfully secured a comfortable win, with several unofficial scorecards reflecting this sentiment. However, the results stunned the boxing community as all three judges—Kermit Bayless scoring it 96-93, Chris Migliore at 95-94, and Don Trella 97-92—awarded the decision to Franklin.
This perplexing ruling prompted immediate outcry from fans, many labeling the outcome a blatant robbery given that Dychko had clearly put forth more effort and skill throughout the match.
Aftermath and Implications
This unexpected decision not only marred Dychko’s record, dropping him to 15-1, but also raised doubts about the integrity of boxing judging standards. Franklin’s victory, now bringing his record to 24-2, leaves him with a win that many experts consider undeserved, raising questions about his legitimacy as a contender in the heavyweight division.
The aftermath of this controversial decision will likely fuel ongoing discussions regarding officiating in boxing for the foreseeable future.
