Trainer Mike Melendez Interview: George Sosa Got Robbed in Newark + Card Results
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Pennsylvania trainer Mike Melendez, whose welterweight George Sosa took a last minute bout with Michael Anderson in the main event of a five bout card at Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 23, 2013, has stated his fighter got robbed and intends to file a protest with the New Jersey Athletic Commission.
Mike Melendez: “I’m protesting the decision tomorrow to the New Jersey Athletic Commission. Even the commission knows Sosa won that fight. There’s nobody at that event who thought Sosa lost that fight.”
Real Combat Media: “How would you break down the scoring in the main event?”
Mike Melendez: “I would say George Sosa won a minimum of five out of the eight rounds fought. I could see how the hometown crowd could influence the judges and give the other guy, who is from Newark, three rounds, but that’s it.”
Real Combat Media: “All five bouts on the card went to decisions. Were they all bad?”
Mike Melendez: “They were all good decisions except for the first bout and the last bout (our bout). We know our fighter George Sosa won the fight and got robbed. How would you feel?”
Real Combat Media: “Referee Earl Brown is a friend of mine. Were you satisfied Earl did his job in your main event bout?”
Mike Melendez: “The referee continually warned George about using his arm to push off to separate himself from his opponent, Michael Anderson, because Anderson was holding. The referee was warning Anderson from round one on to stop holding. Anderson held for all eight rounds. The referee should has done his job, and taken points away from Anderson for holding (in which case, Anderson would not have won the bout).”
Real Combat Media: How did the opponent, Michael Anderson feel about the result?”
Mike Melendez: “Nobody in the house was more amazed than Anderson himself when they called himt he winner. Then he went so far as to call George Sosa the toughest sOB he’s ever fought.”
Real Combat Media: “Will George Sosa fight a rematch with Michael Anderson next year?”
Mike Melendez: “Deedrop (who works Anderson’s corner) said they would take a rematch. We will fight Anderson anywhere but in New Jersey next time-even China. I can guarantee they’ll never take the rematch (the Anderson camp) outside of New Jersey.
Weequahic High School, Newark New Jersey
Fight Card Results, Saturday, November 23, 2013
Main Event
Michael Anderson Win Split Decision 8 George Sosa, Welterweights
Scoring: 77-75, 77-75 Anderson. 77-75 Sosa. Referee: Earl Brown.
Controversial decision in the main event bout. No knockdowns.
Preliminary Bout to the Main Event
Tyyab Beale Win 8 Jon Bolden, Heavyweights
Scoring: 80-71, 78-73, 78-73 Beale. Bolden lost a point for holding in the sixth round.
Referee: Ricardo Vera
Undercard Bouts
Michael Mitchell Win 4 Eddie Edmonds, Middleweights
Ibn Akbar Richardson (debut) Win 4 Eric George, Cruiserweights
Godson Noel Win 4 Lavon Slade (debut), Super Middleweights
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