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06/24/2004 Archived Entry: "Manager of Al "Speedy" Gonzales Files Protest IL State Athletic Commission"
Pat Doljanin, Manager of Al "Speedy" Gonzales, Files a Letter of Protest with the Illinois State Athletic Commission
Date: June 20, 2004
To: Ron Pucillo, Chairman, Illinois State Athletic Commission
From: Al J. Gonzales, Jesse Reid, Albert Falcon, Patrick M. Doljanin
Cc: Dominic Pesoli, James Foley, Michael Hirsley, Max boxing, Cyber Boxing Zone.com, Boxing Talk.com, Secondsout.com, TalkingBoxing.com
Re: Gonzales v Hopkins (June 18, 2004)
This letter is to serve as a formal protest regarding Gonzales v Hopkins, June 8, 2004, Chicago, IL.
On Friday, June 18th, 2004, a young and very talented fighter took to the ring in a nationally televised event in a very important and difficult fight in his career. That fighter is Al “Speedy” Gonzales. So much incompetence was displayed on Friday night that it is hard to no where to begin.
We will start with the judging. Judge Jacubko was the only Judge who was in the ballpark with a 67-66 score. However, Judge McCarthy inexplicably came up with 69-64 score. How can any competent and credible Judge give Gonzales only 1 round? Judge Dugan’s score was just as embarrassing at 68-65.
We also wonder why the appointed doctor for the fight was looking to the cut man to make the decision to call the fight. Isn’t he a licensed and trained professional? Doesn’t he have the skills and abilities to make such a decision for the well being of the fighter? Furthermore, the doctor should have asked the fighter if wanted to continue.
As the chief second, Jessie Reid was the only person in the corner authorized to make that decision. 30+ years in the business and 19 World Champions have earned him that right. The cut was not inhibiting the fighter’s vision, nor was the eye swollen shut. As we all know Al “Speedy” Gonzales, has fought with cuts that were far worse. Most importantly, the cut was not bleeding.
We have reviewed a tape of the fight many times and we want to point out some key facts that support our case. Round #1:
Total punches thrown thru Round #1:
Hopkins: Thrown 49. Landed 16Gonzales: Thrown 73. Landed 15
Round #2:
Comments by Bernard Hopkins: “Demetrius Hopkins is moving too much and he is on the ropes too much, which gives his opponent confidence, and it looks bad. Gonzalez is more aggressive and he is controlling the fight.”
Comments by Teddy Atlas: “The movement is hurting Demetrius. The tempo of the fight is being controlled by Gonzales.
Total punches thrown thru Round #2:
Hopkins: Thrown 42. Landed 11Gonzales: Thrown 74. Landed 17
Round #3:
Gonzales gets cut over the right eye, but does not have any effect on the fight.
Comments by Teddy Atlas: “Hopkins keeps trying to hold Gonzales up every time he tries to come in.”
Total Punches thrown thru Round #3:
Hopkins: Thrown 131. Landed 44Gonzales: Thrown 212. Landed 46
Round #4:
Comments by Bernard Hopkins: “Demetrius Hopkins moving way too much in the fight. He needs to settle down.”
Comments by Teddy Atlas: “The rhythm of the fight is being controlled by Gonzales. Hopkins is moving unnecessarily, and that is making him disconnect from his offense. Hopkins gives the round away to Gonzales.”
Comments by Bernard Hopkins: “Demetrius is moving unnecessarily and wasting energy. You don’t get points for moving. Demetrius needs to let his hands go, because he is in the fighter’s hometown.”
Total punches thrown thru Round #4:
Hopkins: Thrown 27. Landed 10Gonzales: Thrown 50. Landed 11
Teddy Atlas has the fight scored through Round #4 as follows:
Hopkins: 10 9 10 10 39Gonzales: 9 10 9 10 38
Round #5:
Head butt occurs and cut over the left eye opens on Gonzales.
Comments by Teddy Atlas: “Gonzales has been cut before and Gonzales will fight on as he has been cut before and knows how to handle it. Cut is not effecting Gonzales through the fight. Hopkins is not serving himself well in this round.”Comments by Marvin Hagler: “Fighting a guy in his own backyard, Hopkins needs to stay in there and fight more.”
Total punches thrown thru Round #5
Hopkins: Thrown 33. Landed 8Gonzales: Thrown 70. Landed 21
Round #6:
Hopkins hits Gonzales with a low blow.Cutman puts adrenaline on cut, but DOES NOT apply Vaseline on the cut before Gonzales goes in for the 7th round.
Round #7:
Comments by Jessie Reid: “The fight is close. The cut is okay and we are working well with it.”
Comments by Teddy Atlas: “Hopkins needs to settle down. His movement has allowed Gonzales to take that round.”
Total punches thrown thru Round #7.
Hopkins: Thrown 260. Landed 92Gonzales: Thrown 455. Landed 104
Teddy Atlas has the fight scored as follows thru Round #7:
Hopkins: 10 9 10 10 9 10 9 67Gonzales: 9 10 9 10 10 9 10 67
Judges Scored the fight as follows:
67-66 69-64 68-65
Based on the above facts, events, and commentating of the fight how can the outcome of the fight and scoring by the Illinois judges be in favor for Hopkins? Were they watching the same fight the entire Nation was watching? What about the excessive holding and countless warnings with no points being deducted. In baseball 3 strikes and you are out. How many warnings in boxing, before points are deducted?
These are very compelling facts. Not objective opinions, but absolute, cold hard facts. Which begs the question: What fight were McCarthy and Dugan watching? Their competence to do their job MUST be taken into question. I respectfully ask the commission to produce to me the following information:
1. What are the credentials and boxing backgrounds of Judges McCarthy and Dugan?
2. How many fights and number of rounds have they each judged in those fights?
3. What were the scores in each of those fights
4. Have they ever judged a main event? If so, which one?
5. A copy of their respective scorecards from the 6/18/04 fight.
The choice of referee was another dubious decision. We like John O’ Brian, but he did not have the experience to referee a bout of this caliber. His experience lies in amateur boxing, were he is more gifted. We would like an explanation to the following questions:
1. Who made the decision to have John O’Brian referee? Why?
2. Why was he chosen when the more experienced Tim Adams and Gino Rodriquez were available?
3. How many 10 round fights has John O’Brian refereed?
4. How many rounds of professional boxing experience does John have?
Additionally, I would like an explanation for *Commissioner Campuzzano’s behavior. In 3 years, I have never had a disagreement or anything close to it, with anyone from the commission. That’s why I find Commissioner Campuzzano’s behavior; odd, mean -spirited, combative and outside his authority.
To wit, he told us in the dressing room that we could not have 4 people in the corner because it’s too crowded. I reminded him that Kendall Holt had 4 people in his corner. Incredibly, he continued to argue with me.
During the fight, he continued to chastise Jesse Reid and I for coaching during the fight. Where is the rule that states cornermen can not give instructions during the fight? I would like a copy of that. This isn’t amateur boxing. I was told that if I did not stop, I would be removed from the corner. This puts my fighter at a disadvantage. I had no choice, but to oblige. Then he continued with Jesse Reid. Jesse told him what he was doing was perfectly legal. Having been in the corner of 19 world champions, I think Jesse Reid knows a little about what you can and can not do in the corner.
By the way, Jesse never stopped shouting instructions and Commissioner Campuzzano never said another word. Interestingly, those seated near the Hopkins corner said, they shouted instructions throughout the fight, as is their right to. (*The Commissioner we are referring to is not Joel Campuzzano.)
Why the double standard? During Bernard Hopkins’ championship fight a few weeks ago, his trainer Bowie Fischer was mocked, but never told to stop coaching, for continually shouting out instructions during the Hopkins/Allen fight. Is Illinois the only state where this is illegal? I want to know why Mr. Campuzzano felt he had the authority to interfere with me communicating with my fighter?
Furthermore, what are Mr. Campuzzano’s credentials? What is his relevant experience? We are entitled to and expect an explanation.
The Illinois Boxing Commission has done Al Gonzales a major injustice. Unfortunately, this is not the first time. In February 2004 Al was given a draw in a fight were his opponent was allowed to continually throw illegal, back-hand punches. This has been verified by the referee who reviewed a tape and still pictures of the fight.
This is only the beginning. With the help of counsel, we will take this as far as it needs to be taken to affect changes in the way the Illinois Boxing Commission does business. It is painfully obvious that there are members of the commission who are not competent as it relates to their job performance. Their lack of training and background support this statement. Therefore, we respectfully request that this fight be declared a NO CONTEST.
Please be advised that Albert Falcon, Patrick Doljanin and Al J. Gonzales will no longer participate in any Illinois State Athletic Commission events.
After your review of this statement, we will contact your office to discuss next steps.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Al “Speedy” Gonzales
Albert Falcon
Patrick M. Doljanin
Jesse Reid
