Ref Jack Reiss Explains Two Point Deduction of Logan Paul, Briggs-Riley Scrap Said It All
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Considering cruiserweight Logan Paul was apparently knocked down by KSI early in the fight, and referee Jack Reiss ruled it a slip (Reiss stated KSI pulled Logan down, so it was not a clean knockdown, and that was why he ruled it a slip) in the main event at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday evening, November 9, 2019, how did it come to pass in the fourth round Logan knocked down KSI, yet got penalized two points?
Why did referee Jack Reiss rule a two points deduction? Both Paul and KSI were making their professional debuts in the rematch of the YouTubers amateur bout which previously ended in a draw. KSI won a split decision draw in their pro rematch, and the wild outcome virtually insured the two combatants will meet a third at some point in the foreseeable future.
Paul got KSI with a good uppercut. Paul then held KSI behind the head, and committed holding and hitting to land his second uppercut on KSI, causing the first point deduction. With the second uppercut, KSI went down to the canvas. Paul then hit KSI with a straight punch to the head with another punch while he was on the canvas, triggering a second point deduction. Logan could have been disqualified for that, especially if KSI either did not get up and wound up unconscious. However, fortunately, KSI got right back up to his feet, was briefly somewhat dazed, so there was no theoretical partial count of the ten count. There was a time allotment for recovery period for KSI.
KSI was the victim of holding and hitting, and therefore there should have been no knockdown recorded. Reiss’ explanation to Boxing Scene was for all fight fans to “Watch the replay.” Logan Paul felt he should have first been given a warning before any point deduction was issued. Actually, if Paul had just gone to the neutral corner after the knockdown, and followed the rules, he would have won the controversial six rounder bout.
In the dressing room before the bout, according to referee Jack Reiss, both fighters were warned not to throw kidney punches, or thrown punches behind the head. Former World Heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs trained Logan Paul for this bout. Both Briggs and Paul are well aware of the rules. Tensions flared on YouTube before and during the bout. Briggs had a nasty fight at the weigh-in with KSI’s trainer, cruiserweight Viddal Riley, so the fact the emotions got nastier in the ring during the telecast came as no surprise to all.
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