Glen Johnson

BOLTON, England (CMC):

HANDLERS OF Jamaican light heavyweight boxer Glen Johnson are planning an official protest over the outcome of Saturday's International Boxing Federation (IBF) title fight against Britain's Clinton Woods.

The judges handed Woods a close split decision win on points - a verdict questioned by Johnson and his team - but it is a rule infraction by a member of the Woods camp that Johnson's camp is contesting.

During the closing stages of the gripping contest, a member of the Woods camp jumped up on the ring apron amidst the action, which is against the boxing rules.

Instead of having Woods disqualified, the official was asked to get down by referee Howard Foster.

Leon Margules, executive director of Seminole Warriors Boxing - handlers of Johnson - says they suggest that the world governing body reverses the decision.

Demands

"We intend on filing a protest regarding the outcome and demand Glen Johnson crowned the victor in this contest or they should order an immediate rematch," Margules said.

"This is a direct violation of the IBF rules and regulations as it relates to members of any fighters corner stepping foot on the ring apron during the action. The fighter should have been immediately disqualified," Margules said.

When CMC Sport spoke to Johnson on Monday, he appeared content to sit back and allow his management team to handle the issue.

He believed the rule should be enforced, but did not appear hopeful that the title will be taken away from Woods.

Clear-cut rule

"It's a clear-cut rule that's in the rule book but they (local officials) are in their country and who knows what they will do, but I know it happened," Johnson said.

"I saw while I was fighting and a lot of cameras should have picked it up as well and they (local British officials) say they are going to study the film and see what they can see and make that decision since the referee didn't make that call.

"It's up to the IBF body to look for that," said Johnson, the 2004 World Fighter of the Year.

In the contest, judge Mickey Vann scored ex-champion Johnson the winner 114-112, but the other judges, Richard Bays and Roberto Ramirez, gave Woods the verdict 115-112, 116-112, respectively.