Duva: Request for 'Neutral' Judges for Ward-Kovalev Denied by Ward

This is a more in depth answer Duva gave some media

In this media scrum with Sergey Kovalev and his promoter Kathy Duva, Duva was asked if any effort made to get at least one international judge on the panel for the rematch after Kovalev suggested home country bias in the first outing. Here's how Duva responded:

"In Nevada the rule is you go with what the commission says. I asked Ward's side, because I thought it would be best for everyone involved, that there would be no question, if we could go together to the commission and ask them to appoint some non-American judges. Ward said 'absolutely not'. In fact I'm told there was a comment made about 'well everyone hates Americans all over the rest of the world so I want American judges.' So I guess he figures that gives him an edge.

"Personally, in the United States, because every state has its own commission, it's like all different countries, I kinda saw Nevada as neutral ground actually. And maybe I was naive but we're gonna trust the commission isn't going to want there to be any controversy next time and it's up to them to decide how they want to handle it."

 

And Ward can get only American judges without Kovalev's consent. Its not that he choses so, not at all, its the commission where the fight takes place that handles all this.

But I already saw other rematches, specifically in England, where one promoter ( the foreign side) wanted neutral judging and the British side agreed. And they brought in foreign judges. Same guy won if I remember correctly, but at least it was more transparent and they didnt want no excuses and controversy the 2nd time.
I think its how it should be done for this rematch. And may the best man win.

 

But why reject the request? I dont understand it. The commission will pick those judges, not Duva.

 

If both promoters are on board, the commission can't really denie it. They're the ones paying for the event, so it doesnt have anything to do with the commission slamming the US based judges. They will just do what both promoters asked. And its only done if both parties agree, so not every foreign fighter that has a bout in the US can ask that kind of thing.

I've seen it in Germany too

 

You dont understand man. The commission picks the judges, always. Not the promoters. But they can ask for neutral judges, if both of the promoters are on the same page. Nothing wrong here.

I'm very surprised so many of you are against neutral judges. It dont make any sense

 

It was a typo. I just corrected it. Should've been "it dont"