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Cut Loose – Team Paddy Gallagher to appeal controversial Jenkins loss


An appeal is to be lodged with the British Boxing Board of Control regarding Paddy Gallagher’s controversial defeat to Chris Jenkins on Saturday night.

Fighting for the vacant Commonwealth title and Jenkins’s British belt, The Lenadoon welterweight lost on a ninth-round technical decision at the Falls Park in West Belfast.

Referee Howard Foster stopped the bout in accodance with advice from the ringside doctor aftr Jenkins suffered a substantial cut on his brow.

The English referee deemed the cut to be the result of a headclash and therefore the bout went to the cards – with Welshman Jenkins claiming a unanimous decision win following three 86-85 judges’ tallies.

However, debate has raged since, with many arguing that the cut to Jenkins was caused by a Gallagher punch – something the broadcast team also pointed out.

The usually-happy-go-lucky Gallagher was disappointed by both the scoring and the fact that the cards were even consulted in the first place.

The 30-year-old’s team don’t plan to take the verdict laying down and have confirmed to Irish-Boxing.com their intention to appeal the result over the coming days.

While it is probably unlikely that the result will be overturned to a no-contest or a Gallagher win, letting their displeasure be known could help ‘The Pat Man’ secure a shot at the belts in the near future.

Mandatory challenger Liam Taylor must challenge for the belts by the end of September – something Jenkins’s cuts have put into doubt – but Gallagher will continue to wait in the wings.

It has to be noted too that there remains to be consensus regarding the cut, and detailed neutral analysis will be needed – by the board or otherwise.

Underdog Gallagher’s record, currently, has slipped to 16(11)-6(0) but the Commonwealth Games gold medallist received plaudits for his effort, pressuring the skilful Jenkins throughout and knocking him down to the body heavily in the sixth.

dpg

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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