For whom the bell tolls

The confusion on why Puerto Rican referee Luis Pabon ordered the ringing of the bell to start the fifth round in the WBA featherweight title bout between Nonito Donaire, Jr. and Simpiwe Vetyeka in Macau last weekend has prompted an explanation from someone who has the competence to clear the air.

International boxing referee Bruce McTavish, who has worked over 150 world title bouts all over the world, said yesterday if Pabon stopped the fight before the fifth round bell, it would’ve been declared a technical draw or no-contest with Vetyeka retaining the belt. Although four rounds were over, Pabon couldn’t call for a technical decision until the start of the fifth because the rules do not recognize a fourth round technical decision only a fourth round technical draw. A technical decision may be called only from the fifth round onwards. That meant Pabon would’ve been constrained to order a technical draw if he stopped the bout in between the fourth and fifth rounds or during the break.

It’s a question of technicality. Strictly speaking, once the four rounds are over and a fight is stopped because a boxer is unable to continue due to a cut inflicted by an accidental headbutt, it should automatically go to the scorecards even before the start of the fifth. But because the record books will not recognize a fourth round technical decision, Pabon had to order the ringing of the bell so that he could declare a fifth round technical decision.

McTavish, who has lectured on boxing in a slew of international conventions, said Pabon was aware of the rules. “I understand Nonito told the referee he couldn’t continue because his vision was obstructed at the end of the fourth round,” said McTavish. “If Pabon stopped the fight right there and then, Vetyeka would’ve retained the title. Fortunately, Pabon knew what he was doing. I presume he wanted the fight to end with a winner and Nonito deserved to win. That’s why he ordered the ringing of the bell to start the fifth and after two seconds, called it off.”

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Under boxing rules, a round in progress must be scored if the fight is stopped because a boxer is unable to continue due to a cut inflicted by an accidental headbutt even if it lasted only one second. Since neither fighter threw a punch in the aborted fifth round, the three judges scored it 10-10. Donaire was ahead on points, 39-36, at the end of four rounds so that counting the 10-10 tie in the fifth, the final count was 49-46 as reflected in the three judges scorecards.

“Even if no punches are thrown, you score the round, thus making the fifth round legitimate,” explained McTavish. “If the referee stops the fight at the end of the fourth, there are no scorecards and it is automatically a technical draw. At the start of the fifth, the referee stops it immediately, you go to the scorecards, hence the 10-10. This is the rule by all organizations pertaining to an accidental headbutt. If Pabon stopped it in the corner before the bell for the fifth, Nonito wouldn’t be the champion.”

Although Pabon tolerated Vetyeka’s headbutting and elbowing without a single point deduction, the consolation is he acted wisely in calling for a technical decision because a draw would’ve been a travesty. There was no way Vetyeka deserved to retain the title and it would’ve happened with a technical draw if Pabon stopped it within four rounds or before the start of the fifth.

If Pabon ruled that Donaire’s cut was inflicted by a legal blow and the Filipino Flash couldn’t continue, Vetyeka would’ve retained the crown by technical knockout. While some ringsiders thought the cut was opened by a punch, video replays showed it was a butt. In fact, it was a series of butts and Vetyeka even threw elbows – proof that he was up to no good.

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McTavish, 73, said he knows Pabon and described the Puerto Rican as a true gentleman. Pabon, 52, has been a referee for over 20 years and specializes in WBA title fights. He has been assigned to work fights in the US, Mexico, Japan, the UK, Italy, Nicaragua, Switzerland, Germany, Colombia, Argentina, France, South Africa, Costa Rica and Venezuela.

McTavish failed to watch the fight on TV because he was in Sydney attending an international Rotary convention. “I was so proud to represent the Philippines in the convention,” said the New Zealand native who has lived in the country for nearly 50 years. “I wasn’t introduced as a Rotarian from New Zealand but as a Rotarian from the Philippines.  My Rotary Club of Mabalacat was recognized during the convention for launching the world’s first Polio Plus project in 1983, our campaign to fight polio. Today, polio has been eradicated in 99.6 percent of the world and it all began with our Polio Plus project.”

McTavish applied for Filipino citizenship via naturalization by legislation four years ago and the bill is still pending. He is married to Carmen Tayag of Angeles City whose late father Renato was a renowned lawyer and brother Claude is a culinary genius. The McTavishes, married for 36 years, have two daughters and three grandchildren. More than his boxing credentials, McTavish is well-loved in Angeles City for his philanthropy and social projects to look after streetchildren, the underprivileged and orphans.