Judge in the middle of the Canelo-GGG controversy to take 'a small break' from scoring major fights
Al Bello/Getty Images
The fight between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alverez will surely be remembered as one of the hardest hitting bouts of the decade, but unfortunately, it will also be marred by its result - a split-decision draw that many believe should have been a victory for Golovkin.
The split decision came after a huge discrepancy on one judge's scorecard. While the first two judges scored the fight 115-113 for Golovkin and a 114-114 draw, Adalaide Byrd had Canelo as the winner of the bout by a resounding 118-110, leading to the split decision draw.
As the result was read out, boos rained down onto the ring by an audience that felt robbed of a true victor.
While some fight fans might be excited for a rematch with raised stakes, it's tough to get the bad taste out of your mouth after the poor result, especially when GGG-Canelo was supposed to be a fight that brought prestige back to boxing after what many saw as a money-grab from Floyd Mayweather earlier in the year. Instead, Byrd's questionable scorecard brought back into the forefront a long history of poor decisions and criticism of judges that has plagued the sport.
As a result of her scorecard, Byrd will be removed from calling any big matches in the near future. Bob Bennett, executive director of the Nevada Athletic State Commission, said that Byrd would be taking a "small break" according to The Independent, adding that "She'll still be in the business, but she needs to catch her breath."
It's not the first time Byrd has been involved with a controversial decision. As Deadspin notes, she's been apart of multiple boxing and MMA bouts in the past that have garnered their fair share of raised eyebrows from fight fans.
For now though, it would likely please GGG fans for her to stay as far away as possible from a potential rematch in 2018.
Here's the official #CaneloGGG scorecard Adelaide Byrd scored just rounds 4 and 7 for GGG. Nevada State Athletic Commission must look at it pic.twitter.com/jGv4iMrc2W
- Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) September 17, 2017
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