WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman believes boxing ‘must implement video replay technology’ for big fights coming later this year to help cut down on controversial incidents.
It comes as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s much-anticiplated unification fight has been postponed for May 18, after the ‘Gypsy King’ suffered a horrific cut to his forehead during a sparring session earlier this month.
Sulaiman stated that while video technology has been used in other fights previously, including Fury’s ‘Battle of the Baddest’ fight with Francis Ngannou, it should be utilised more to prevent contentious issues from arising.
‘We started instant replays 12 years ago. We have used it in Japan, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the United States and every other major territory,’ Sulaiman said to Gambling.com.
‘We have used it with the British Board of Control twice and in the last fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou where Fury was cut.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman (left) says boxing must implement video review technology
He stated that he was ‘working hard to implement’ video replay systems for Tyson Fury’s unification bout against Oleksandr Usyk
The system was used for Fury’s fight against Francis Ngannou back in October 2023
‘The referee didn’t see the source of the cut and on the giant screening we saw it was a headbutt, so we instantly ruled it as a headbutt.’
The WBC president added: ‘We must have instant replays, especially in fights like this because the last thing you want is controversy that kills the sport.
‘We will fight very hard to have instant replays for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk and in all major fights moving forward. We have to use the technology that is available and make the best out of it.’
Usyk, meanwhile, was involved in a controversial incident during his victory against Daniel Dubois, last August. Usyk was knocked to the canvas after he suffered a punch to the body that was deemed below the belt by official Luis Pabon, sparking much debate online and in the media.
After the fight Derek Chisora stated that boxing should implement a VAR system akin to rugby’s TMO, and predicted that it wouldn’t be long before we saw a video review system in the sport.
Fury, meanwhile, ultimately went on to claim a split decision against Ngannou, but was left looking battered and bruised after the Cameroonian had pushed him all the way, notably knocking him down in the third round.
And Sulaiman gave his take on the fight, claiming: ‘I have never been involved in an event of such magnitude in terms of production, the attendance and so many legendary champions, football players, MMA, entertainers were at the fight.
‘The hotels were a dream, the interviews and then the production where there was no ring in the arena. There was a music act and then the ring comes from the floor, it was amazing.
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT
New footage has emerged of Daniel Dubois dropping Oleksandr Usyk in the fifth round
Usyk’s bout against Fury has been postponed after the ‘Gypsy King’ suffered a horrific cut to his forehead during a sparring session
The bout has been rescheduled for May 18 with Fury having also been involved in a furious spat with Usyk’s manager
‘The fight was a great, positive surprise. Francis Ngannou dropped Fury but Tyson was able to measure the distance and the style. But Ngannou takes hard punches but also punches very hard.
‘But Tyson eventually won by split-decision. It was a great performance by now but now the undisputed fight is coming next.’
Francis Ngannou was subsequently placed at No 10 in the WBC’s heavyweight rankings list following, which drew some criticism from some, including Paulie Malignaggi, who told Pro Box TV: ‘You can’t have one fight, lose and get a ranking inside the top 10.’
He added: ‘Moral victories are good, they bring a tear to the eye, they make you root for a guy but I think Ngannou needs a win before he gets a top-10 ranking. It’s a political move to get people talking and keep the WBC in the headlines. You’ve got to win your way into the rankings.’
Sulaiman also dismissed criticism that Ngannou had been given a place in the WBC’s heavyweight rankings
The MMA fighter caused problems for Fury during their bout, dropping him to the canvas in the third round
Despite that, Sulaiman hit back at criticism of the rankings system, claiming that the his previous success in the UFC was a factor in why he was added into the rankings.
‘I’m proud and laughing with joy as we did receive criticism and questions, but I also received really nasty comments about myself, the WBC and the rankings but I explained why he is ranked.
‘He came from a sport where he was successful which is part of the WBC criteria and performed against the WBC heavyweight champion very good and that is why he is ranked.
‘Now he is fighting Anthony Joshua and nobody is saying anything. I’m sure his fight with Anthony Joshua will be tremendous too.’