Hasim Rahman - James Toney Appeal

For Immediate Release

Hasim Rahman

Re: Appeal of your bout vs. James Toney

Dear Mr. Rahman,

I have reviewed your appeal and have determined that the wrong decision was rendered on the night of the event. Therefore, the bout will be ruled a No Decision.

The change of decision ruling has been determined after reviewing interviews and or statements from Referee Ray Corona, Ringside Physician Dr. Paul Wallace, Event Supervisor Chief Inspector Dean Lohuis and the videotape of the bout.
Please note that the national registry www.fightfax.com has been notified of the change of decision.

Here is my report that outlines the rationale for changing the decision:

Appeal to Change Decision in a professional boxing bout

James Toney vs. Hasim Rahman
Vacant World Boxing Organization/North American Boxing Organization Heavyweight Championship in Temecula, California on July 16, 2008

Facts:

1. At 2:31 seconds of the 3rd Round a headbutt occurred that caused a one inch gash on the left eyebrow of Mr. Rahman
2. Referee Corona declared the headbutt to be an Accidental foulMr. Rahman immediately complained of the foul while continuing to box
3. While in his corner at the end of the round Mr. Rahman voiced a strong adverse reaction to the foul
4. During the rest period between Rounds 3 and 4 the bout was stopped by Referee Corona on the advice of Doctor Wallace because Mr. Rahman claimed multiple times that he could not see
5. Referee Corona initially declared a No Decision because the bout was stopped by a foul and four (4) rounds were not completed
6. Referee Corona discussed the situation with Chief Inspector Dean Lohuis, the Event Supervisor; At that time it was learned that Doctor Wallace stated that the cut itself was not severe enough to stop the bout; then, the initial decision of a No Decision was changed to a Technical Knockout (TKO) win for Mr. Toney

It is vital to note that in less than three minutes from the time that the foul occurred Mr. Rahman was in his corner stating that he could not see. Doctor Wallace responded to the corner and after speaking with Mr. Rahman he recommended to Referee Corona that the bout be stopped because Mr. Rahman claimed that he could not see.

Factual basis:

This decision is based on the following:

1. An Accidental foul occurred and was declared by the Referee
2. The bout did not reach four (4) completed rounds
3. A very short time elapsed from the foul to Mr. Rahman’s complaint that he could not see
4. No questioning of Mr. Rahman, and more importantly, no determination was ever made as to whether the cut, a concussive head impact as a result of the foul or some other reason adversely affected his vision
5. There is no concrete evidence that Mr. Rahman was ‘looking for a way out’ as has been suggested and he never retired himself from the bout
6. There is no evidence that Mr. Rahman and or his team devised a quick plan to ask for the bout to be stopped because they were losing, etc. as has been suggested

In these cases the Referee must clearly determine what exactly is causing a bout to be stopped and then make a decision based on the rules. No one other than the Referee can make those decisions. This can be accomplished by consulting with the Doctor, asking questions and taking some deliberate steps such as, but not limited to:

1 Wipe the blood cleanly away from the boxer’s eye and have the Doctor check his vision; Check to see if the vision issue was with one eye and if so which eye, or both eyes
2 Ask the boxer if he is feeling any other ill effects of the foul (such as a headache, dizziness, etc); Head fouls are known to cause concussions and even detached retinas
3 Ask the boxer and or check if he can continue after a reasonable amount of time as allotted by the guidelines

These actions can only, and must be, initiated and executed by the Referee in a timely manner because he is the sole arbiter. Nothing similar occurred in this bout.

In conclusion, no determination was ever made by the Referee as to whether the bout ended for any reason other than Mr. Rahman’s claim that he could not see (because of the foul).

Therefore, one must conclude in the analysis that this bout (that did not complete four (4) rounds) ended due to an Accidental foul which (most probably) was aggravated by legal blows.

The Commission change of decision rule is § 368. Change Of Decision.

The rule states in part:

3. (c) There was a violation of the laws or rules and regulations governing boxing which affected the result of any contest.

This rule supports the decision to change the official bout result from a Technical Knockout win for Mr. Toney to a No Decision.

Official Decision:

The original result, a Technical Knockout win for Mr. Toney is changed to a No Decision.

Please feel free to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,

Armando Garcia
Executive Officer

Cc: James Toney, Professional Boxer
Francisco Valcarcel, WBO President
Mark Reels, NABO President
Dan Goosen, Promoter
Bob Arum, Promoter