Mea Motu's first world boxing title defence has taken a bizarre twist, with trainer Isaac Peach demanding the axing of referee Ignatius Missilaidus from the bout.
Motu captured the vacant IBO super-bantamweight crown with a unanimous decision over Canadian Tania Walters in April and will put that belt on the line against Ellen Simwaka of Malawi at Auckland on Saturday.
Peach isn't happy with the presence of Missilaidus on the card, after his judging performance at Sydney, where he scored the right at complete odds with his fellow referees.
Another Peach protege, Kiki Toa Leutele, was ultimately awarded a heavyweight victory by split decision over Toese Vousiutu at Sydney, with two judges scoring the fight 76-75 in his favour.
Missilaidus saw things differently, awarding the decision 78-73 to Leutele's opponent, which doesn't fill Peach with confidence for Motu's upcoming fight.
"I am raising concerns about Ignatius Missilaidus officiating the card on August 26," he said. "His history in scoring fights is not good, and he is often the odd one out of the decision - and by a huge margin.
"He has done the same judging Leutele v Vousiutu on the card in Sydney. We question the competence or integrity of him officiating at such a high level."
Missilaidus is also due to referee Jerome Pampellone's light-heavyweight bout with South African Luvuyo Sizani on the same card - a crucial step in the Kiwi's world title aspirations.
"We request he is not involved in these two top-level bouts and use another experienced referee, whose officiating is NOT questionable," said Peach. "There is no shortage of officials being flown in or this event."
