After such a controversial weekend for Adelaide Byrd, it’s surprising to see her already slipping up again…
Judging combat sports contests is by no means an easy task. In the absence of some automated scoring system, judges are relied upon to give their honest unbiased opinions. Obviously, this can be a flawed system at the best of times.
During boxing’s long history we’ve seen some outrageous robberies. Ever since the Queensbury rules and judges were introduced in the early 20th century, corruption and crime have plagued the sport.
Also adding to the bad side of boxing are steroids, loaded gloves and taking dives, among other things. Today, though, it’s time to take a look at the most controversial judge in today’s game.
Yes, you guessed it, we are talking about the infamous Adelaide Byrd. Just last weekend Byrd put it a lopsided scoreline for Canelo Alvarez after his fight with Gennady Golovkin.
Byrd Scored The Fight 118-110 For Canelo
It was a close fight indeed and could have gone either way. That’s why Adelaide’s score of 118-110 caused such a ruckus. Since that time Byrd has been removed from major boxing title fights, but she’s still working the MMA circuit.
Unfortunately, even the UFC isn’t safe from the apparently incompetent judging of Byrd. During a clip released online today, Byrd can clearly be seen taking her eyes off the fight to reach in her purse.
This happened during the current season of The Ultime Fighter, featuring Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje. Watch the incompetence below:
NSAC Says Byrd is Getting ‘Time Off’
Essentially she’s been suspended from boxing duties, but Byrd is still free to wreak havoc on MMA. Bennett’s statement to the Independent didn’t give much away:
“I’m not going to put her right back in. She’ll still be in the business, but she needs to catch her breath. Like in any profession, you have a bad night. Unfortunately, she didn’t do well. I can tell you she conducts training for us, takes judges under her wing, but her score was too wide.”
Byrd herself was cagy when interviewed, saying she hadn’t actually heard what people were saying about her:
“I don’t know anything about that. That’s really all I can say. I can’t comment on anything, because I haven’t seen or read anything at all,” Byrd said. “I can’t comment, because I don’t even know what people are saying.”
Boxing coach and doctor Teddy Atlas is literally fuming after Canelo vs. GGG.
Here’s what Atlas said after the fight:
“Corruption in boxing,” Atlas said bluntly when asked on ESPN what he thought about the decision. “Follow the money. And no one else is going to say that in boxing, and some people are going to be very upset, and I don’t care. I don’t care if they’re upset.”
“There’s money to be made in the casino business, but there is an oversight board to make sure there is no corruption. There’s no oversight board in boxing,” an enraged Atlas shouted.
