No Trash Talk: Napa Nightmare

BoxRec News correspondent Paul Foley provides his forthright take on Ian Napa’s controversial British bantamweight title loss to Jamie McDonnell at the weekend.

“What a joke!” Those were my first three words right after the verdict was announced following what had seemed a landslide victory for Hackney’s stylish bantamweight Ian Napa against a game but outclassed challenger (it certainly looked that way to me) from Doncaster Jamie McDonnell at Brentwood last Friday night.

Napa had just completed a rich display of slick skills before a captivated audience which for me should have seen him retain his title and then swiftly set his sights towards regaining the vacant European bantamweight crown in March.

But two out of three highly respected British boxing judges helped to put his dreams back into bed for a few more nights. I certainly didn’t see the funny side and the little man wasn’t smiling even though he took a somewhat surprising setback like the big little man he is.

“Judging is funny, I never thought I lost, I wish him the best,” said Napa sportingly in the post-fight interview afterwards.

As Master of Ceremonies Gary Logan took the microphone in hand and lifted it towards his mouth those dreaded words came forth. “We have a split decision.”

I thought “Oh no here we go, I’ve seen this type of thing before.”

In 1987 I watched my hero Marvin Hagler lose his middleweight belt and love for boxing all in the same night to the much loved Sugar Ray Leonard. (I think I’ve just about forgiven Ray).

Ever since I’ve argued his case believing that a challenger must leave no doubt in anyone’s mind he’s a clear cut winner. If he doesn’t then the champion should walk free with his belt safely in hand.

In a court of a law just the slightest of uncertainty placed in the jury’s mind is enough to gain a not guilty verdict for the defendant and hence he loses nothing. So why should it be any different for one of the boxing defendants?

I hope that’s a question that judges Ian John-Lewis and Dave Parris can answer. John-Lewis scored the contest 115-114 in favour of the challenger. Napa was given a glimmer of hope from Richie Davies who had it 115-114 in his favour. Two judges who saw a close fight but edged it one way or the other.

The third, and deciding, total from Dave Parris was, for me, a shocking 117-112 for McDonnell. Was he that convincing, Dave? I think not.

My scorecard read 118-113 for Napa.

I gave Napa six out of the first eight rounds, with the second and eighth even, in which Ian looked at ease and in his element with good use of his jab and wonderful movement. My notes on the fourth read “a gulf in class.”

For me, McDonnell didn’t win a round until the eleventh and he got my nod for the final round, but apart from that I saw an emphatic victory for the champion.

I wasn’t alone as Sky commentator Adam Smith paid tribute to Napa’s showcase of slickness and accuracy several times throughout the match without leaving viewers (at least me!) with an impression we were watching a close fight.

Amazingly Adam went quiet on the verdict. All of a sudden had he forgotten what he had just spent twelve rounds telling the audience? (How Napa was on top)

Opinions is what adds to the noble art but why be subjective when you have made the case for someone throughout the bout? Back in the studio, Nicky Piper who fought at the highest level, surprised me when he said “It was really close.”

Former European bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver, watching for Sky at ringside, was looking through the same set of lens as me, commenting “Napa clearly won the fight.”

When a decision goes this way I would like to see Sky be a little more innovative and get into the seats to ask the paying public for their views rather than just play it safe with guests they know.I think even the most hardened McDonnell fan would admit he was second best.

All in all I can seldom recall a recent worse decision in boxing. My count added up to a great divide. Napa seven rounds, McDonnell two, with three even. That’s hardly a close fight, through my eyes.

Am I deluded or slightly short sighted?  If I am, I can’t see it. I wonder if the judges can!

Coming soon, part two with comments from Napa and his trainer Brian Lawrence.