This writer has seen his share of bad decisions going back to the worst one in Philadelphia on the night of November 30, 1976 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
WBC World Super Featherweight champion Alfredo “El Salsero” Escalera, 36-7-2, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, was defending his world title for the seventh time including one draw with no return match. His opponent from Philadelphia was southpaw Tyrone Everett, 34-0.
In the audience that night I saw a brilliant display of boxing from Everett. I scored it giving him an edge 148-137. Only when Everett suffered what could have been a head butt and the following round did I give them to Escalera. 13-2 in rounds.
This was a Peltz Boxing promotion with Everett under contract to Peltz. The referee Ray Solis was also one of the judges and had the score 148-146 for Everett. The other Spanish judge was Ismael Wiso Fernandez who had it 146-143 for Escalera while the PA judge had it 145-143 for Escalera. That judge was Lou Tress who never officiated another match. He probably left the country with all the money he was paid. Fernandez judged three of Escalera’s fights. One four months prior to the Everett fight and one the following year.
If the bout was in Puerto Rico and Escalera would have lost a split decision the two judges would probably have been “hung!”
The fans could not believe the decision. In the 2010 book “The Ultimate Book of Boxing” lists Bert Sugar, Teddy Atlas and Harold Lederman listing the verdict the most controversial decision of all-time.
Everett and Escalera were to have a rematch in Puerto Rico the following June of 1977. Everett and Escalera appeared on the undercard of Muhammad Ali and Alfredo Evangelista on May 16th so you have to wonder if Don King who promoted that show was coming back the following month with their rematch. Ten days after Everett’s last bout he was killed by his girlfriend with a bullet through his head.
Getting back to the Golovkin-Alvarez match the officials had it Adalaide Byrd 118-110 for Alvarez, Dave Moretti 115-113 for Golovkin and Don Trella 114-114. Trella also had Golovkin ahead 115-112 against Danny Jacobs. Byrd formerly lived in Philadelphia before divorcing and moving to Nevada remarrying referee Robert Byrd.
Boxing needed a major shot in the arm and Golovkin was looking forward to meeting WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders. In May without Alvarez as his opponent due to a six month suspension that always would have turned the draw into a no contest or no decision never was. Peculiar? Why this rematch returns to the same venue at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada makes no sense. Golovkin has since lost his IBF title by not fighting their No. 1 contender.
In the rematch Dave Moretti will return, while Steve Weisfeld and Glen Feldman will serve as the other two judges. I know Weisfeld personally along with the referee to be Benjy Esteves, Jr., and am pleased they will be working the show. Rarely does a non-Nevada resident work as referee. In the previous fight for Alvarez against Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Byrd and Moretti were the judges along with Feldman who awarded Alvarez a 120-108 decision. If this one is to go the distance and its Moretti 114-114, Feldman 115-113 Alvarez and Weisfeld 115-113 Golovkin do not be surprised.
Prediction? When Golovkin “catches the running Alvarez this time” he will knock him down until the referee halts the onslaught! Oscar de La Hoya will be in the box office counting the tickets.