I really don't like to get involved in discussions over decisions and even more so when we I'm one of the officials concerned,however I can't let some comments go without answer.

'He has a reputation of being biased as said by some of your own guys' The referee Wayne Rodrigues is my friend, I have known him 25 years and I ask on what basis you can make a diabolical comment like that. Biased against who?? and when?? He has reffed Qasim just twice if that is who your referring to.

and there's the laughable call once again for 'independent judges'...are you therefore questioning my integrity as well? because basically you are saying we are not capable of judging properly and fairly, something that I take quite personally to be honest. And to widen the point I'm pretty sick and tired of people sitting judgement on any official of any body who travel great distance, away from their families just to make sure these events go ahead (cos you certainly don't do it for the money)..only to find someone next day making slanderous remarks about us. Maybe I should not have left home at 11am yesterday and got home at 4am next day..maybe I should have spent the day with my family as there seemed to be so many 'qualified' and 'independant' judges in the audience!

For the record the judges scorecards were 96-95, 96-96, 97-96 However Ronnie was docked 5 points over the course of the fight due to the IKF kickcount rule which ensures the fighters are kick-boxing.

One last thing to say, big credit to Ronnie who was a gentleman and conducted himself brilliantly both before and after, a credit to his camp