Jay Harris Calls Bullshit on Scorecards in Martinez Fight
In boxing, you don’t always have to prevail in the contest to walk away a winner. This was something of the case for Jay Harris (17-1, 9 KO’s) in his first crack at a world title against WBC world flyweight champion Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez (16-1, 12 KO’s).
SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG
Over the course of the prizefight, Martinez would more regularly get the better of the action. However, the heart and grit shown by Harris proved to be quite infectious. Despite getting battered, dropped and saddled with a rapidly swelling face, the UK native never abandoned the fight.
In fact, not only did he fight back with vigor, he landed a boat load of his own very effective offensive shots. So much so, that even in defeat, he was cheered on by the crowd and Harris will no doubt be seen on air again. This upbeat belief in his own performance is also precisely why he had a problem with two of the judge’s final scorecards.
“Look, I done myself proud today. To be honest, my team and stuff thought I nicked it but honestly I thought the 115-112 was probably right. I don’t know what the other two judges scored but I thought that was bullshit. But I would give it 115-112…I’m gutted at the loss but I give 100%, I did give 100’%.
On the way out here, going through the crowd, I was getting booed and tossed out and stuff. But on the way out, on the way coming back they were screaming for me!”
PROUD IN DEFEAT
Clearly, Harris was not pleased with the insult added to injury due to the judges lopsided scoring. Although, along with the crowd itself, Harris says that his opponent, Martinez, also gave him a big nod of respect after the fight.
“I believe that I am world class and after that performance, after what he’s done to the last couple of people before and then I just did that, I will win a world title. I will…Even he said I was the toughest fight he’s ever had, which shows how good I really am really. Fuck, I’m gutted man!”
So, in the end, Harris will have a great deal of bitter and sweet items to walk away from this fight with. He’s gained an army of new fans, a wealth of new experience and respect, but he will continue to despise the two wide cards, especially the 118-109 ruling.
“Shit! I don’t know how he got that! Jesus fucking…he must be Mexican or something. But that was his score, everyone seen knows that it was tighter than that 100%.”
By: Bakari Simpson
