Boxing
The List: The 10 Worst Decisions in Boxing History
3. Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker draw
September 10, 1993
Alamodome; San Antonio, Texas
This is Whitaker’s second appearance on the list, seeing how the unlucky “Sweet Pea” actually has almost made a career out of being on the wrong end of controversial officiating.
The legendary Chavez entered the fight as a favorite but Whitaker kept him off his game by effectively landing combinations inside. Whitaker outpunched the Mexican legend, 311 to 220, and the television commentators did not even expect the fight to be close. But two of the three judges called it 115-115 for a majority draw.
Sports Illustrated featured an image of Whitaker on their cover with the headline “Robbed!” plastered in white bold letters. Other journalists pointed out that the WBC appointed its own judges to officiate the clash rather than allowing an independent group to do so. This prompted allegations of corruption within the ranks of boxing, and plans for a clean-up campaign that, of course, never happened.
