October 6th Bangkok Thailand. Matt Floyd of Australia squared off against former WBC World Champion Sirimongkhon Lamthuam of Thailand for the vacant WBF World Light Heavyweight Title.
Official Result of the bout on October 6th, was a Split Points decision win to Lamthuam. The following day, October 7th, the WBF received a wave of unofficial protest and complaints from several parties, with suggestions of corruption and a grave miscarriage of justice relating to the official scores by the 3 ringside judges appointed to the championship bout.
Official protest to the WBF Executive by challenger Floyd, was received and confirmed October 17th. After reviewing the complaints and points raised by the Floyd camp, the WBF Executive convened and launched an inquiry into the official result of the championship bout.
Officials from the United States (3) and Australia (2) were engaged by the WBF to re-score and review the bout. The independent international officials submitted their individual score cards, comments and review of the bout. Recommendation by the WBF Executive to the WBF President Mick Croucher, after its review and consideration of the evidence before it, was to declare the fight a NO CONTEST.
Mr. Croucher, after careful consideration of the evidence contained within the inquiry into the official result and considering recommendations made by the WBF Executive, officially released his decision on Tuesday 22nd October 2024.
Mr. Croucher stated that in the in the interest of fairness, justice and integrity, that the fight would be officially declared a NO CONTEST, and the WBF World Light Heavyweight Title now declared vacant.
“It’s important that all people be made aware, that the WBF, when sanctioning any championship fight, anywhere in the world, do so with Integrity and Transparency, hence why I would like the document that was disseminated to all stakeholders, be published” said WBF President Mick Croucher.
The Official seven (7) page document released to all parties concerned is attached and available to view here.