Boxing: Francis Waitai drops in rankings after split decision loss to Max Reeves

Francis Waitai with his team outside the venue.

Waikato boxer Francis Waitai lost the fight for the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight title against Australian Max Reeves.

The judges’ scores had some New Zealand boxing insiders scratching their heads, saying they did not accurately reflect the 10-round fight.

Waitai did not make it easy for Reeves and almost even knocked him out towards the end of the bout.

But Reeves hung on and ended up winning the fight by split decision.

Judge Les Fear scored the fight 98-92 in favour of Reeves, Mick Heafey scored it 99-91 for Reeves, and Leanne Reid scored it 96-94 for Waitai.

Heafey and Fear both saw Reeves as a very clear winner, with Heafey’s scores meaning Waitai only won one round and Fear’s scores meaning Waitai only won two rounds.

While two New Zealand boxing insiders agree Reeves came away as the winner, they believe it was a close fight, unlike what the judges’ scores indicate.

New Zealand boxing commentator Isaac Savage said that, in his view, Waitai won at least three or four rounds and that he would have scored the fight 96-94.

BX-9 promoter Oz Jabur also said that in his view, the fight was quite close.

“[It was a] great performance by Waitai. He was getting the better of Reeves in the inside exchanges,” Jabur said.

“The southpaw cross was landing heavy. Many effective damaging blows were landed by Waitai.

“The last round was the deciding round in my eyes, and Reeves did a little more. Fair outcome.”

Waitai said on social media that it had been a pleasure to showcase his skills in Australia, on the Tim Tszyu undercard on Sunday.

“Not the result we wanted, but I left it all in the ring ... Thanks to my opponent and his team for a great fight.”

Waitai’s team, Team George Promotions, accepted the loss and result.

“What a war, Francis Waitai is always a tough competitor and a hard man at this high level,” they said on social media.

Francis Waitai (second from right) and his team ahead of the fight in Australia.

“Unfortunately, a split decision went to the Aussie on this occasion. Respect to Max Reeves and his team, a bunch of great guys.

“A bit of R&R after a hard-fought fight and regroup for team Waitai.”

Waitai has dropped in the BoxRec rankings from top 90 to top 130.

To get back to where he was, he will need to have two significant international wins next.

Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec’s New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.