Bob Arum Blasts ‘Ridiculous’ Lopez-Lomachenko Scorecards

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum thinks Teofimo Lopez was a deserved winner against Vasiliy Lomachenko this past weekend but insists the three ringside judges were wrong to score the fight so wide in the 23-year-olds favour.

Lopez scored a unanimous decision victory as a significant underdog in his 12-round 135lb title unification bout at MGM Grand Conference Center. Judge Tim Cheatham who had the most respectable card of the night, scored Lopez a 116-112 winner. Steve Weisfeld scored nine rounds for Lopez, who won 117-111 on his card. While Julie Lederman gave 11 of the 12 rounds to Lopez, scoring the fight 119-109 – a disgraceful card in what was a very close and competitive fight.

Arum told reporters post-fight that he thinks Lopez was a worthy winner but not by the vast margins given by the three ringside judges, he said.

“I gave Lopez the fight, but those scores were ridiculous. One was 119-109. What are they talking about? Julie Lederman, what kind of f–king fight was she watching? These judges are crazy.”

“Lopez won the fight, yeah, but Lomachenko won four of the six rounds in the back end,” Arum added. “And I gave him one out of the first six. I mean, that was f–king crazy!”

Arum was keen not to let bad judging take away from his praise for Lopez who fought tremendously well against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing.

“He fought brilliantly,” Arum said. “He boxed. He didn’t go looking for the knockout. He fought a brilliant fight. I gave Lomachenko the ninth, 10th and 11th rounds. That was easy. And I figured he would win the 12th round, and it’d be a draw. But those judges, what the f–k fight were they watching?” (Transcribed by Boxing Scene)

Do you agree with Bob Arum? Did Teofimo Lopez benefit from poor judging against Vasiliy Lomachenko?