The boxing community erupted in anger after judges announced the scorecards for Josh Padley’s victory over Reece Bellotti.
The pair fought on the undercard of Dave Allen’s clash with Arslanbek Makhmudov in Sheffield.
Padley entered the bout as a 3/1 favourite, seeking his second straight win after losing to Shakur Stevenson in February.
Bellotti, eager to prove he still belonged at this level after defeat to Ryan Garner, produced a strong showing.
Most observers believed Bellotti edged the razor-close contest with sharper work and greater aggression.
However, Padley won by unanimous decision with baffling tallies of 99-92, 97-93, and 97-93.
The wide margins shocked fans, who accused the judges of ignoring Bellotti’s performance.
talkSPORT’s Adam Catterall exclaimed, “99-92, what was that?” while Gareth A. Davies called the fight “much closer than that.”
Outrage spread online as fans demanded accountability, calling the result “disgusting” and “an abysmal display of judging.”
Bellotti Dominates Early as Padley Struggles
Padley aimed to solidify his status at British level, but Bellotti controlled the early rounds with body shots and relentless pressure.
The experienced “Bomber” looked composed, forcing Padley to retreat and limiting his rhythm throughout the first half.
Padley began connecting midway through, finally finding his range and movement as fatigue slowed Bellotti.
By the later rounds, Padley’s higher work rate helped him claw back momentum, though many still saw Bellotti ahead.
Both fighters pushed hard to the final bell, with expectations of a close decision.
Instead, the judges’ lopsided cards left Bellotti shaking his head in disbelief as the crowd reacted with disbelief.
Fallout and Future Implications
The controversial result sparked debate about fairness and consistency in British boxing officiating.
Fans and pundits agreed the scoring damaged the credibility of the sport, calling for better oversight of judges.
Bellotti, visibly dejected, will hope his strong showing earns him future opportunities despite the setback.
Padley’s win keeps his comeback on track, though the controversy may overshadow his performance.
Such decisions can define or derail fighters’ careers, leaving Bellotti frustrated but determined to fight on.
As calls for reform grow louder, this bout stands as another example of how poor judging can taint the sport’s integrity.
