2/08/06 - article from the Daily World /
Letters to the Editor
Local fans upset with boxing decision against 'Candyman'
To the Editor:
On Saturday at the Blackham Coliseum, I witnessed a fight by Blake "the Candyman"
Provost of Lawtell and "Smiling" Martin Verdin of Dulac.
There were other fights, but in this fight, Provost was robbed of winning. I know he
was upset along with his trainers and manager, but they were not alone.
I would say about 80 percent or more of the crowd was upset about this. I know you
cannot fight the judges, but they need to review this fight and admit that they were wrong.
The only thing I can say to you, Blake, is keep going for your dreams and keep punching.
We all know you won the fight.
Paul, Bonnie, Colby
Port Barre
To the Editor:
As a concerned spectator and a boxing fan, I am deeply disturbed and quite outraged
by the officiating at Blackham Coliseum Saturday night during "Bad at Blackham."
I think that the police should have been called and the officials taken away for burglary,
as they robbed Blake "The Candyman" Prevost of his rightful win over "Smilin" Martin Verdin.
I believe that it is a sad day and a sad situation when thousands of loyal fans pay good money
to see a "professional" fight and end up getting shafted out of their money and can't enjoy an
entertaining evening due to the blatant selfishness of certain "officials."
What has this country come to when a family can't go to a sporting event and expect to get
a fair decision?
In the opinion of myself and my 11-year-old son, an unjust decision was made by the judges,
and we would like to see an immediate rematch of these two fighters with an unbiased panel
of judges. Then the entire world will get to see that Blake "The Candyman" Prevost is the
man who deserves the win.
What kind of example does this set for our youth (my son included), if we allow this
travesty to go unnoticed and unchanged? If sports are to continue to be a big part of our
entertainment and our lives, and we continue to make the people who participate in sports
icons and mentors for our children, then what kind of message are we sending to our youth?
That it is OK to lie and cheat for the sake of one person's gain?
Steve Gauthier
Eunice
To the Editor:
What a great thing for Lafayette. The first professional boxing title match in the city's
unique history - congrats to Chad Broussard - and the night is marred by none other
than typical Louisiana politics.
How do we get to that next level, as a state, that can draw attention, celebrities, money
and high caliber sporting events when there's constantly some idiot that acts in a completely
unprofessional manner?
The judges who ruled the Prevost-Martin fight in the favor of Martin are completely ridiculous.
I was ringside at that fight. I've watched boxing all my life.
"The Candyman" Blake Prevost completely dominated Martin "Smiling" Verdin at "Bad at
Blackham" Saturday night. It wasn't close. Prevost was sharp and boxed beautifully in the
first two rounds, showing an outstanding jab and a snappy right hook to the body. Verdin
came alive in the third and made the round close, but Prevost won it for being busier.
Verdin clearly won round fourth and rocked Prevost with a big right hand.
Prevost rallied and out punched, out landed, and outfought Verdin over the last two rounds,
hurting him and knocking out his mouthpiece in the process. Then came the split decision for Verdin.
Just a terrible display of professionalism by the Louisiana Boxing Commission. Prevost won
this fight 5 rounds to 1. Now, I've received word that the two judges handing the decision
to Martin are from Martin's neck of the woods.
Again, typical of what has become characteristic of Louisiana - crooked politics, crooked
sports and a state filled with dumb and ignorant people. We'll see how the commissioner handles this.
Dr. Eric Prather
Lafayette
To the Editor:
Wining a boxing match should not have to be decided by a knock out.
As fans, we should feel confident that our officials will be fair and not political
to the boxers. It was definitely a political decision Saturday night for Blake Prevost's fight.
That fight was not only taken away from all of the hard work he put in, but it was also
taken away from the fans who were watching, because he obviously won that fight.
Saturday night was one of the largest crowds I've ever seen, so the officials not only
lied to themselves and the boxers, but most importantly to the fans. This needs to be taken
seriously, because the fans will not continuously watch officials take a win away for a
political decision instead of a honest one.
Stacy Broussard
To the Editor:
I am sorry to say that I had to explain to my two young children who participate
in competitive sports that adults do not always have to play by the same rules of fairness
that children are expected to adhere to.
It was obvious even to two young children that the "Candyman" had been robbed of a
victory that was clearly his. This decision was not simply a "bad call." It was boxing
corruption at its finest.
How can one judge award all six rounds to the Candyman and the other two "judges" determine that he lost four of those rounds? Were they not sitting around the same ring?
Perhaps they decided to take a bathroom break and then asked Martin Verdin's corner the
score when they returned.
Or maybe, just maybe, their decision was influenced by the fact that they both
reside so closely to Verdin.
Holly Leblanc
Leonville
Originally published February 8, 2006
To the Editor, The Daily Advertiser:
I attended the boxing event held at Blackham Coliseum on Saturday, February 4, 2006.
Although some may consider me a novice in the boxing arena, I was stunned and
appalled when Martin Verdin was announced as the winner over Blake Prevost.
I was sitting ringside and it was obvious to me that Prevost out performed Verdin!
I wonder if the judges, Kenny Saintes and Kenny Licata (public records) didn't
see what everyone else did see! To me, this was a poor display of professionalism
by the Louisiana Boxing Commission. We have enough bad publicity in Louisiana.
Let's make right what is wrong!
Emma Fontenot, a concerned citizen |
