Commission denies changes to two fight decisions after video reviews and debate

The California State Athletic Commission reviewed two petitions seeking to change professional bout results but took no action to alter either decision.

For the Oct. 10 Whitmer vs. Carrillo bout, the commission viewed the late portion of the fight and heard testimony from referee Vladimir Modashenko and fighter Chase Whitmer. Modashenko said he touched Whitmer’s hand in the sequence to confirm consciousness and that his primary concern was fighter safety. Commissioners discussed whether the bout should have been restarted; a motion to change the result to a no contest was moved but received no second and failed. The decision therefore stands.

On the Nov. 21 Navarro vs. Mendoza petition, counsel for Steven Navarro argued that California’s rule that the fourth round must begin before going to the scorecards produced an unfair result when combined with the commission’s referee training that allows a corner cut man to work during the minute. Referee Thomas Taylor said he followed commission training and protocols and would often give cut men an opportunity to fix cuts; commissioners discussed precedent and the risk of undercutting referee guidance. The commission did not vote to change that result and the original decision remained in place.

Several commissioners acknowledged the situations were unfortunate and urged staff and referee training to review protocols. Commissioners emphasized that any retroactive change to decisions could create doubt for referees about when to follow rules versus exercise discretion. No changes were made to either fight records at the meeting.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to review training materials and consider whether rule or protocol clarifications are needed to avoid similar disputes.