Having had a week to consider his controversial decision loss to Kazakhstan’s Bakhtiyar Eyubov (11-0, 10 KOs), San Francisco welterweight Karim Mayfield says he’s not happy.
Fighting in the opening fight on ShoBox: The New Generation® last Friday, August 19, at Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, New York, Mayfield (19-4-1, 11 KOs) appeared to outpunch and outwork his unbeaten foe, especially in the last four rounds. Despite having the statistical advantage – and winning in the eyes of the Showtime commentators, most of the ringside media, the fans in attendance and a worldwide outcry – Mayfield found himself on the wrong side of a 10-round split decision (95-94 twice for Eyubov and 95-94 for Mayfield) at the end of their exciting battle.
“I’m pretty upset about it,” said Mayfield. “I trained hard for that fight. I was finally able to get a normal eight-week camp to train and train for a specific fighter. I haven’t had that in a long time. It felt great to be that focused, but to get it stolen from me is not a good feeling. A lot of time fighters lose and think they won, but this isn’t like that. The public agrees I won. The commentators say I won. I was robbed. I’m not just thinking this. It’s true I was robbed.”
Showing toughness, power and a high level of conditioning, Mayfield came on stronger and stronger as the grueling fight wore on. Despite the loss, it was a very impressive and career-rejuvenating performance against a foe who had knocked out all his previous opponents before the end of three rounds.
“I do feel proud of my performance. I showed I belong on the world-class level. I’ve always been a good fighter. But I feel it is imperative I be given a rematch against Eyubov. I feel like this is unfinished business. I didn’t lose because of a lack of skill. I had this stolen from me.”
Mayfield says if Eyubov won’t give him a rematch (he was non-committal post-fight), Showtime should have him back in a high-profile match-up.
“I deserve to be brought back. I’ve beaten some good guys. Eyubov is just one. I beat Mauricio Herrera. I beat Francisco Santana. I beat them and they got big opportunities. Give me a fair shake! I’ll fight anybody if the paper is right.”
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.
Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.
Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.
In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.
Cohen currently promotes WBA Interim World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso, Undefeated WBA NABA Heavyweight Champion and world-rated contender Jarrell Miller, undefeated WBA NABA Middleweight Champion and world-rated contender Robert Brant, former world champion Kendall Holt, as well as current world-rated contenders including long-time elite middleweight “Mean” Joe Greene, top super featherweight Arash Usmanee, Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis; WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Australian lightweight prospect Josh King.
Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.
For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.
