British boxing judge cleared of wrongdoing after allegations of mid-fight phone use

Boxing judge Terry O’Connor will face no discipline following an investigation by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

In last Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing main event, O’Connor came under scrutiny for initially the 117-111 card he awarded to Lewis Ritson over Miguel Vazquez, when virtually everyone except him and another ringside judge believed Vazquez was the clear winner. The bigger bit of controversy arose when observers believed that O’Connor wasn’t actually watching the fight and was instead looking at what appeared to be a phone.

BBBofC conducted an investigation and concluded that there was was no wrongdoing:

British Boxing Board of Control Judge Mr. Terry O’Connor appeared before the Stewards of the Board to discuss his performance at the tournament held on 17th October 2020 at the East of England Showground Arena, Peterborough.

Allegations made on social media and the print media as to Mr. O’Connor using a mobile telephone or similar handheld device were considered.

Following extensive consideration of footage and Mr. O’Connor’s evidence supplied, the Stewards are satisfied that Mr. O’Connor was not in possession of any telephone or handheld device whilst carrying out his duties as a Judge in the contest between Lewis Ritson and Miguel Vazquez and his scoring of said bout was not affected in any way.

In addition, Mr. O’Connor’s scoring of the bout was considered and whilst judging a contest is subjective and following Mr. O’Connor’s explanation of how he scored the bout, the Stewards are satisfied that Mr. O’Connor’s final score reflected his own opinion of the contest.

So evidently it was all an illusion and it wasn’t his phone. I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse knowing he turned in such a ludicrous scorecard. Sky Sports had it 118-110 Vazquez, as did Bad Left Hook’s Scott Christ.