Khoren Gevor knows a thing or two about questionable judging.
The Armenian-born scrapper - fighting for the WBO Super Middleweight Title tomorrow night - lost a previous challenge for the WBA Middleweight strap against Felix Sturm in 2009 that had many observers crying robbery.
After appearing to score a flash knockdown - ruled for some reason as a slip - Gevor went on to impose his sort of fight, breaking down Sturm on the inside.
How did the judges see it?
Well, they saw it like this: 115-113, 115-113 and 117-111. To Sturm, the house fighter of course. One fight writer described the judges' interpretation as "completely incomprehensible scoring". That just about sums it up.
Understandably Gevor has some reservations as he bids to win Robert Stieglitz's belt on his opponent's turf - and on his opponent's promoter's turf.
It's concerning that a talented boxer like Gevor (31-5) should feel this way but of course most experienced boxing fans will tell you that's just how it goes when you fight in an opponent's backyard.
It's not right of course - just ask Robin Reid. The Super-Middleweight was denied a fair victory against long-reigning champion Sven Ottke (who won a series of dubious decisions) in 2003. Poor Reid was constantly interrogated by the referee, given a warning after landing a punch and had a genuine knockdown ruled as a slip. He didn't get the decision despite appearing to - despite the referee's outrageous behaviour - win more rounds than his opponent. One wonders how he found the strength to carry on in the sport after that disgraceful evening.
Back to Gevor's forthcoming fight and for my reckoning, and with all due respect, Stieglitz is far from being an elite champion. He has good power and brings experience but in two bouts where he stepped up in class - against Alejandro Berrio and Librado Andrade - he was stopped.
Since winning his belt he has made three defences against mediocre opposition.
In a division stuffed with the talents of Carl Froch, Andre Ward, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell and Lucian Bute; Stieglitz is not even a top-five fighter, despite his belt.
However, that may not matter for Stieglitz. If he continues to fly under the radar he can make easier defences and bank the cash without facing the big boys. That's not healthy for the sport and shows how devalued many world title belts have become.
Don't blame Stieglitz - he's just playing the game.
* Postscript: Well, sadly there was a controversial ending to this fight.
Reports state that Stieglitz was the sharper, more accurate puncher, while Gevor was as game as ever, coming forward and trying to press his advantage.
Things turned in the tenth round though.
Gevor, frustrated in a clinch, rabbit punched his opponent. After being broken up, the two fighters clinched again, with Stieglitz wrestled to the ground by Gevor.
Stieglitz got up, displaying a laceration above his right eye and Gevor was disqualified.
So incensed was Gevor that he argued with Stieglitz's cornermen and apparently attacked the referee for good measure.
That's not the sort of image boxing needs.
The Armenian-born scrapper - fighting for the WBO Super Middleweight Title tomorrow night - lost a previous challenge for the WBA Middleweight strap against Felix Sturm in 2009 that had many observers crying robbery.
After appearing to score a flash knockdown - ruled for some reason as a slip - Gevor went on to impose his sort of fight, breaking down Sturm on the inside.
How did the judges see it?
Well, they saw it like this: 115-113, 115-113 and 117-111. To Sturm, the house fighter of course. One fight writer described the judges' interpretation as "completely incomprehensible scoring". That just about sums it up.
Understandably Gevor has some reservations as he bids to win Robert Stieglitz's belt on his opponent's turf - and on his opponent's promoter's turf.
“Everyone knows that in sports there’s always a home advantage," Gevor has said.
“Unfortunately, this is especially true in boxing. I am a guest at [the promoters] SES event in their city. I have no illusions that here in Magdeburg it will be very difficult for me to win on points.
"I don’t want to insinuate that the judges or referee will consciously evaluate the fight incorrectly. But everyone knows that the home promoter pays the bills – also for the judges – and the audience contributes by cheering wildly for every punch the home boxer throws and not reacting at all to the clear punches landed by the guest boxer.
"No judges in the world are immune from that. So I know that I must win by KO – but this is okay for me. I am prepared for it and I have the goal to knock out Stieglitz. I don’t want there to be anything to discuss at the end.”
It's concerning that a talented boxer like Gevor (31-5) should feel this way but of course most experienced boxing fans will tell you that's just how it goes when you fight in an opponent's backyard.
It's not right of course - just ask Robin Reid. The Super-Middleweight was denied a fair victory against long-reigning champion Sven Ottke (who won a series of dubious decisions) in 2003. Poor Reid was constantly interrogated by the referee, given a warning after landing a punch and had a genuine knockdown ruled as a slip. He didn't get the decision despite appearing to - despite the referee's outrageous behaviour - win more rounds than his opponent. One wonders how he found the strength to carry on in the sport after that disgraceful evening.
Back to Gevor's forthcoming fight and for my reckoning, and with all due respect, Stieglitz is far from being an elite champion. He has good power and brings experience but in two bouts where he stepped up in class - against Alejandro Berrio and Librado Andrade - he was stopped.
Since winning his belt he has made three defences against mediocre opposition.
In a division stuffed with the talents of Carl Froch, Andre Ward, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell and Lucian Bute; Stieglitz is not even a top-five fighter, despite his belt.
However, that may not matter for Stieglitz. If he continues to fly under the radar he can make easier defences and bank the cash without facing the big boys. That's not healthy for the sport and shows how devalued many world title belts have become.
Don't blame Stieglitz - he's just playing the game.
* Postscript: Well, sadly there was a controversial ending to this fight.
Reports state that Stieglitz was the sharper, more accurate puncher, while Gevor was as game as ever, coming forward and trying to press his advantage.
Things turned in the tenth round though.
Gevor, frustrated in a clinch, rabbit punched his opponent. After being broken up, the two fighters clinched again, with Stieglitz wrestled to the ground by Gevor.
Stieglitz got up, displaying a laceration above his right eye and Gevor was disqualified.
So incensed was Gevor that he argued with Stieglitz's cornermen and apparently attacked the referee for good measure.
That's not the sort of image boxing needs.
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