Jermaine Franklin Jr. got a decision that stunned the boxing world as Ivan Dychko saw his undefeated record ripped away in a highly controversial fashion on the Canelo vs. Crawford undercard at Allegiant Stadium.
The heavyweight clash, fought over ten sluggish rounds, produced a verdict few could agree with, casting a shadow over what should have been a showcase night for the sport.
One-way traffic through six rounds
From the outset, the story looked straightforward. Dychko, a decorated two-time Olympic bronze medalist, dictated with his jab and superior reach. Using footwork to offset Franklin, the Kazakh kept control while the American, remembered for his loss to Anthony Joshua, looked sluggish, out of condition, and without rhythm.
Franklin never found consistency, often plodding forward without ideas, as Dychko picked him off with ease.
Across the first six rounds, Dychko built a clear lead, jabbing, moving, and frustrating Franklin. He controlled distance, tempo, and the quality of work, piling up points as Franklin’s corner searched in vain for answers.
Across the first six rounds, Dychko built a clear lead, jabbing, moving, and frustrating Franklin. He controlled distance, tempo, and the quality of work, piling up points as Franklin’s corner searched in vain for answers.
The second half brought flashes of aggression from Franklin, but they were brief and ineffective. At one point, he did look close to troubling Dychko, but couldn’t, leaving more doubts than ever about his credentials at the top end of the division.
The Scorecards That Stunned Las Vegas
When the final bell rang, the consensus was simple: Dychko had won comfortably. Unofficial tallies had the Kazakh well ahead. Then came the shock. Judges Kermit Bayless (96-93), Chris Migliore (95-94), and Don Trella (97-92) all inexplicably sided with Franklin.
How all three carded for Franklin is a mystery. Fans instantly branded the unanimous verdict a robbery, with Franklin having done nothing to deserve the win.
For Dychko, dropping to 15-1 under these circumstances is a bitter blow. He did more than enough to keep his perfect record intact, only to see it stripped away by baffling scoring.
Franklin, now 24-2, escapes Las Vegas with a victory many view as hollow, a win that brings scrutiny rather than credibility.
The controversy adds yet another layer to the ongoing debate about judging standards, with this decision sure to be a topic of discussion for days to come.
- Phil Jay
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