By WBA

Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, president of the World Boxing Association (WBA), announced at a press conference Thursday that judges Gustavo Padilla of Panama and Hubert Earle of Canada were suspended for six months - over their scoring of the fight from last Saturday in Japan in the match between Hassan N'Dam and Ryota Murata for the "regular" middleweight title of the sanctioning body.

"My decision of that contest, those of 5 judges who evaluated the fight and the one of the supervisors that was present at the fight - were different from the one that those judges saw. I considered that I should address this case as soon as possible and I did so on Saturday. However, we had to announce the measures we would take with the judges after a more extensive evaluation of what happened," Mendoza said.

In addition to the 6-month suspension, both Padilla and Earle must pass several evaluations before being able to be judges again in the case of a fight sanctioned by the WBA and its regional organizations.

Regarding judges John Gradowski, Henry Grant and Don Risher, who acted in the fight between Rances Barthelemy and Kiryl Relikh, the WBA will ask the Maryland Boxing Commission to take action and not use them for the time being.

"Unfortunately in the United States there is a law that prohibits us from electing officials or taking actions as we did in the case of the N'Dam-Murata fight. However, we will let our point of view be known to the Maryland commission, "said the WBA President.

Mendoza also ordered a rematch between Hassan N'Dam and Ryota Murata. In addition, he also ordered a second fight between Cuban Rances Barthelemy and Belarusian Kiryl Relikh.

"I have already apologized publicly for the N'Dam-Murata case. In my social networks I made known my point of view and score. I want you to know that I did this, because I think the case deserved it. As for the contest between Barthelemy and Relikh, I think it was a even battle but the result was controversial," said Mendoza.

In the case of N'Dam-Murata, officials Gustavo Padilla and Hubert Earle gave the victory to N'Dam with scores of 116-111 and 115-112 respectively, and judge Raul Caiz voted in favor of Muara with a score of 117-110.

While in the case of Barthelemy-Relikh, it was a close contest that had wide cards of 116-110, 115-111 and 117-109 for a unanimous decision in favor of the Cuban gladiator.