Top Rank beamed when they announced the heavyweight signing of WBC-rated Simon Kean on Friday night. Little did they know what was to come.
Canadian Kean, ranked 32 by the World Boxing Council, was tattooed by Top Rank in a co-promotional offer with Eye of the Tiger management.
Top Rank heavyweight signing
In announcing the deal, Top Rank said: “Top Rank and Eye of the Tiger Management have entered into a co-promotional agreement with heavyweight KO artist Simon Kean.
He will take on Newfel Ouatah in a scheduled 10-round bout tonight on ESPN+.”
Kean, the number one in his country, is on his way to a potential world title fight in the next few years. However, no one could have imagined what would happen in his upcoming battle with the Frenchman Ouatah.
The bell rang and Kean went straight for his opponent. But before he got there, Ouatah was already on one knee with his hand raised in the air.
Referee Martin Forest had no choice but to issue a count as per the rules. As he did so, Kean managed to land a hit on Ouatah while he was down.
After ignoring the illegal hit, a verbal exchange ensued between Forest and Ouatah. The referee then dismissed the contest with 15 seconds left on the clock.
simon kean
Kean went to 22-1 with the easiest win in his history. But fans will feel deprived of any real action at Casino de Montreal.
The added consolation is that they witnessed the worst heavyweight fight finish of all time.
Two theories have emerged as to why Ouatah resigned immediately after the first bell. One is in protest by knee and arm raised. The other is a discussion about his insurance.
If indeed Ouatah was not covered to fight, the authorities should not have sanctioned the fight to go ahead. Why Ouatah did the unthinkable is already being investigated.
Ouatah faces the ruin of his career unless a decent explanation can save his reputation.
Expectations
As for Kean, “The Grizzly” won’t be affected by the outcome and can expect to have the power of Bob Arum and Top Rank behind him.
Possible fights in the United States loom in the coming months, with Kean set to compete as soon as possible due to the ridiculousness of his 22nd win.
The fighter from Trois-Rivières in Quebec is flying under the radar because the best win of his career came against fellow runner Siarhei Liakhovich, who was on a two-fight win streak of six when Kean stopped him in ten rounds three years ago.
Under Top Rank, Bob Arum will expect much more from Kean under his watch.
The views expressed in this article are the views of Phil Jay.
WBN editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. He follows WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
