Well, it’s official. After one of the most chaotic and controversial nights British boxing has seen in years, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) has stepped in and ordered an immediate British heavyweight title rematch between David Adeleye and Jeamie Tshikeva.
And honestly? It was the only decision they could make — but it still doesn’t go far enough.
If you caught my Wednesday post, you’ll know I didn’t hold back. I said then that the result should be declared a no contest, and I still stand by that. Here’s why this wasn’t just a bad stoppage — it was a full-on failure in officiating that changed the entire course of the fight.
Let’s Talk About What Really Happened
Let’s set the record straight: the fight ended in Round Six, but the controversy started well before that.
In the third and fourth rounds, during clinches, referee Ron Kearney clearly called “break” — as he’s supposed to — telling both fighters to disengage. Tshikeva followed the instruction, dropping his hands as any fighter would when a ref says stop. But Adeleye didn’t. On two separate occasions, he threw punches after the break was called — and landed clean.
And here’s the part that really blew everyone’s minds: the referee counted both punches as knockdowns.
Let that sink in.
A fighter follows the rules, stops throwing, gets hit twice during breaks — and the ref not only allows it, he scores them both as knockdowns. That’s not just poor refereeing. That’s dangerous.
You can watch the footage yourself and see Tshikeva’s body language. He’s following the rules. Adeleye throws. The ref counts. Twice.
You can read Tshikeva’s own reaction in this TalkSPORT interview, where he explains exactly what the ref told him in the moment — and how stunned he was to see the punches ruled legal.
Round Six: The Fight Ends, But the Damage’s Already Done
By the time the fight reached Round Six, Tshikeva had already been unfairly dropped twice. Adeleye, who’d been struggling early, was now emboldened. The pressure, the rhythm — it had all shifted.
In the sixth, Adeleye landed a strong left hook followed by a series of unanswered punches, and the referee jumped in to stop the fight. On the surface, it looked like a typical heavyweight TKO. But it wasn’t.
The truth is, the outcome was already compromised. Adeleye shouldn’t have had the momentum he did. Those “knockdowns” shouldn’t have existed. Tshikeva shouldn’t have been in a position where he was already climbing out of a two-round hole created by bad officiating.
That’s why so many people — fighters, coaches, fans — were calling this an absolute disgrace.
The BBBoC’s Response: Right Idea, Weak Follow-Through
Credit where it’s due: the British Boxing Board of Control didn’t ignore the backlash. Within days, they announced an immediate British heavyweight title rematch, and acknowledged the controversy around the original result. (Sky Sports Boxing)
But here’s the problem: they let the original result stand.
And that’s a problem. Because now Tshikeva has a loss on his record that came from being knocked down twice during breaks — not during legal action. That’s a stain that shouldn’t be there, no matter what happens in the rematch.
The correct move would’ve been to declare the first fight a no contest and schedule the rematch from there. That’s how you protect the sport’s integrity. That’s how you tell fighters: We’ve got your back when things go sideways.
Why This Isn’t Just About Adeleye and Tshikeva
This is bigger than one dodgy finish. This is about the reputation of the British heavyweight title, one of the most respected belts in boxing history. The list of former champions includes legends like Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno, and more recently Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley.
If fans and fighters start thinking these title fights can be decided by refs who can’t control a bout — or worse, ignore their own instructions — that belt stops meaning what it should.
And the stakes are high right now. With the heavyweight division buzzing and talent coming through — Solomon Dacres, Frazer Clarke, Johnny Fisher — the BBBoC needs to show it can handle high-pressure domestic bouts without spiralling into chaos.
How the Rematch Needs to Be Handled
Let’s be crystal clear: this rematch can’t be a repeat of the first.
Here’s what needs to happen:
- New referee, no debate – Ron Kearney should not officiate again until this is fully reviewed. The rematch needs a senior, experienced ref who knows how to control a fight.
- Neutral venue – No hometown edge. This needs to feel like a clean, level playing field.
- Zero tolerance for fouls – The Board must make it known: punching on the break will not be tolerated. No more grey areas.
Final Thoughts: Right Move, Half Measure
So, was the British heavyweight title rematch the right call? Yes. But it wasn’t enough. The BBBoC did the minimum. What they should’ve done is wipe the first result completely and admit the fight was compromised beyond repair.
Instead, they’ve asked Tshikeva to prove himself all over again — with a loss hanging over him that never should’ve happened.
What Do You Think?
Did the Board do enough? Should the fight have been ruled a no contest? Or do you think the rematch will settle it all?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this post with your mates, and head over to CMBoxing.co.uk for real boxing talk that doesn’t sugar-coat it.
Let’s get stuck into this — because what happened Saturday night matters, and the future of the British heavyweight scene depends on getting this stuff right.