Apology as Koroheke denied

BAD CALL: An error on a judge's scoring card meant a split-decision victory for Wanganui fighter Aiden Koroheke over Wellington's Ata Fakalelu was announced as a draw on Saturday night.PHOTO/DEVYN STAINES

RIVER City Rumble promotor Steve Alderton has made a red-faced apology after a split-decision victory was erroneously announced as a draw at the War Memorial Hall on Saturday night.

Looking for revenge after two previous defeats to Wellington fighter Ata Fakalelu, RTF Wanganui rival Aiden Koroheke had earned 29-28 scores from two of the judges in the modified Muay Thai main event, with the third official favouring Fakalelu 29-28.

However, Alderton said one of the judges who chose Koroheke accidentally put 29-29 at the bottom of his sheet.

That had created an 86-86 tie which was announced to the crowd with both fighters getting their hands raised.

Alderton said officials had scrutinised the sheets more carefully the next day when the judge rang him to ask who ruled a draw because he had favoured Koroheke.

"There was an error on one of the judge's scorecards that I picked up yesterday [Sunday].

"He made a mistake, the three rounds on the red side [Fakalelu] added up to 28."

Normally, the referee would give the scorecards an inspection before the final result was announced.

However, senior official Dave Hiroti, who had refereed all 12 fights on the card, aggravated a previous calf injury while moving around and was replaced after the first round of the main event. Alderton said the next two senior officials were already acting as judges.

The mid-match substitute had not made a close check afterwards.

"A couple of circumstances. I wished I picked it up but we were just looking at the final points tally.

"It's a terrible thing to happen but it happened and I've got to do something about it.

"Both parties have been informed and congrats to Aiden.

"I'm extremely sorry Aiden missed his moment of glory."

Despite the error, Alderton said the Rumble was a success before another packed house, which required extra seating to be brought out after the show began.

The highlight was the classic bout between teenagers Brayden Maua (Wanganui Warriors) and Earl-Jay Pehi (RTF Wanganui), with Maua claiming a close split decision.

The 16-year-old Maua said he knew he had the quicker hand speed and had put his cards on the table to go for it at the start of round two.