‘Ruining peoples’ lives’: Jeff Fenech slams ludicrous Jazzy Parr judging, calls for post-fight judge reviews

Jeff Fenech has put the blowtorch to the judging of domestic boxing following one of the worst decisions in Australian boxing history, calling for more accountability for “ruining peoples’ lives and the sport”.

No Limit - Fight night at Star City 13th Dec 2024 Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Australian legend Jeff Fenech has put the blowtorch to the judging of domestic boxing after watching Jasmine Parr “get her career ruined” in a controversial split-decision defeat to Shannon O’Connell on Friday night.

A legend of women’s boxing in Australia, O’Connell scored an upset win in a closely contested fight against rising star Parr in Sydney.

Despite the back-and-forth action, O’Connell won a split decision despite wildly varying scorecards between the three judges in what was quickly labelled by some as one of the worst decisions in Australian boxing history.

And Fenech wants answers.

“It was a close fight and if you gave it a round either way, you’re not going to complain,” Fenech said.

“(It’s) a disgrace. I mean that.”

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O’Connell (L) and Parr (R) react to the result. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Fenech, who was on the wrong side of the biggest robbery in Aussie boxing history when his 1991 world title fight with Azumah Nelson was ruled a draw, said instances like these turned people off the sport.

“This is why people don’t follow boxing anymore,” he said.

“People pay to watch the fights but then you have these guys ruining peoples’ careers.

“They ruin peoples’ lives and they’re ruining the sport, mate.

“People don’t want to watch that.”

The former four-time world champion wants more accountability for judging in the sport.

“They should be sat down and asked, ‘How did you do that? Show me how you thought she won eight rounds’,” Fenech said.

“I feel like going and getting them up at 5am every day to train and do what these boxers do.

“See what they go through every day – the pain and the sacrifices.”

The Combat Sports Authority told Code Sports it was satisfied with the judging from the fight.

“The Combat Sports Authority of NSW regulates combat sports to ensure the integrity of contests,” the governing body said in a statement.

“All industry participants, including judges and officials must have relevant skills and experience and be appropriately registered.

“Combat Sports Authority inspectors attended the fight card on Friday, 13 December and the Combat Sports Authority of NSW is satisfied that all contests were conducted in compliance with the Combat Sports Act 2013.”

Speaking moments after the fight, Parr said she let O’Connell win the first couple of rounds but felt she came back well in the final six frames of the eight-round bout.

Parr wants a rematch. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

“Look at her face and look at my face, she was running the whole fight,” Parr said. “It’s unexplainable. That’s boxing, I guess.

“I know for a fact I won that. It’s dodgy shit. I’m lost for words because that’s highway robbery.”

The daughter of former world champion fighters John Wayne and Angie Parr, Jazzy is one of the brightest prospects in Australian female boxing and is hoping for a rematch with O’Connell next year.

“Shannon was in there throwing some great punches but I thought the person who made the fight was Jazzy,” Fenech said. “The person who hurt her opponent was Jazzy.

“I’ve watched the fight back a couple of times and it’s close but to score it like that is disgusting. It’s ludicrous.”

Originally published as ‘Ruining peoples’ lives’: Jeff Fenech slams ludicrous Jazzy Parr judging, calls for post-fight judge reviews