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via Imago

via Imago

In a highly anticipated and spectacular junior Featherweight clash, Julissa Alejandra Guzman shocked the boxing world with a sensational knockout victory over the renowned Ramla Ali. Stakes were high for both fighters, for Ali, it would have secured her a fight against Yamileth Mercado. She could have had a shot at the WBC junior Featherweight title. However, the Mexican boxer poured cold water on Ali’s plans as she became the first individual to hand the Somalian boxer a defeat.

Even though the odds were stacked against her, Guzman showed her resilience and determination by delivering two knockdowns. Moreover, she sealed the result with a final knockdown in the eighth round of the bout. However, this is when the controversy arose. Matchroom Boxing uploaded the video of her knockout on Twitter. This led the fans to point out that the count was very fast-paced and didn’t give Ali much time to get her bearings and stand up. The referee’s controversial counting technique became a focal point of discussion among fans and spectators.

Fans take jabs at the referee after Ramla Ali gets counted out

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Twitter exploded with reactions from dejected fans. Many of them felt that the referee’s quick count had deprived Ali of a fair chance to continue the fight. User gunnerldn pointed out that the referee seemed eager to end the match. He jokingly wrote, “ref cashed his ticket in Vegas.”

Another fan, Joe Leigh acknowledged the referee’s count wouldn’t have made a difference. However, he still pointed out that it seemed like the referee was “counting like he’s got somewhere else to be.”

Meanwhile, a fan named Louie drew a comparison to a previous bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. He claimed that if the speed of counting was the same during that fight, then Fury would have lost. He was referring to the first bout between Fury and Wilder. Furthermore, he expressed his surprise over the counting speed, “Sheesh that was fast”.

Another fan, Chris Gray acknowledged the rarity of such knockout finishes in women’s’ boxing.

My name Jeff joked that the referee realized “he had his life savings on a knock-out win for Guzman with that count”.

Another fan named SUPER GENERAL pointed out how it seems that Ali wanted to get up but “her body wouldn’t let” her.

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Although the knockout was spectacular, the referee’s count definitely raised a lot of eyebrows. What do you think about the situation? Do you think that the count was faster than the standard? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Read More: Somalian Boxer Ramla Ali Lands a Spot in Time’s Prestigious List