DEVON Moncrieffe advanced to the second stage of the four-stage Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series with a majority points decision against Courtney Pennington at the Chinese Benevolent Association Centre on Wednesday night.

This was not before some amount of deliberation after the six-round contest was initially declared a draw to the disgust of fight fans.

Boxing lovers could not fathom how a fighter, who was on his bicyle for the major part of the fight, could be considered to have earned a draw. However, after deliberation, their worst fears were alayed as Moncrieffe was declared the winner and the CBA auditorium showed its approval by eruptinng in thunderous applause.

According to the judges’ final score, the fight ended even with judge Clifford Brown scoring the bout 60-56 in favour of Moncrieffe, Eion Jardine scored it 58-56 for Pennington and judge Lindel Iron called it a draw 57-57.

The rules governing the Contender Series stipulates that there must be a winner. The judges were called upon to decide a winner and they voted 2-1 in favour of Moncrieffe. The decision was arrived at on purely boxing judgment based on the industry over the six-round duration that saw Moncriffe landing the more telling punches, more frequently than his opponent.

“Contender boxing is about standing up and throw punches, and who drop drop. Not just throwing a punch and then running around the ring after that,” said Moncrieffe.

Pennington did not speak to the press after the match.