Sandy Ryan Denied Rematch With Jessica McCaskill By WBO, WBO Refuses To Acknowledge Controversial Nature Of Fight

Sandy Ryan will not be granted a rematch with Jessica McCaskill following their split-decision draw in September, at least if the WBO has anything to say about it. In a message to Ryan’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, the WBO rejected the idea of a rematch for Ryan, the women’s welterweight WBO champion. They made it clear that they believed the draw was the correct result and that she was required to defend her title against the next mandatory opponent, in accordance with the WBO’s rules.

This decision follows a request by Matchroom Boxing for Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2 KO’s) to have all the involved sanctioning bodies—the WBA, WBC, and WBO—approve a rematch between her and Jessica McCaskill (12-3-1, 5 KO’s) following the controversial split-decision draw announced after their September 23rd match this year. The unification women’s welterweight fight, pitting WBO champion Ryan against McCaskill, who holds the WBA and WBC welterweight titles, was not deemed contentious according to the WBA.

This contrasts with the rulings of the WBA and WBC, which each had its stance regarding the match and the resolution of Matchroom’s request for a rematch. The WBA ruled in favor of Ryan, declaring her the winner of the match, while the WBC called for McCaskill to proceed with her mandatory obligations, facing Ivana Habazin (22-5, 7 KO’s), with the winner obligated to fight Ryan.

The WBO, under whose jurisdiction Ryan currently holds her title, believes that the draw was the right decision and has also clarified that they have no authority to approve a rematch.

The WBO stated in a letter to Matchroom, “Surprisingly, the WBA’s position via their official’s committee ruling is that all the rounds should have been scored in favor of Ryan. Even more astonishing is the fact that consistent with Mr. Pabon’s assessment of the bout, the WBA Supervisor in attendance, who does not score the bout, also saw Ryan win every round of the fight. That is to say, the foregoing officials and representatives, through their assessment, content to override official bout scores presumed correct and registered with the local supervising commission. The foregoing protocol simply lacks merits.

“Now, even under the assumption of declaring the scores questionable, a determination that we firmly reject, such are not beyond or contrary to the applicable parameters and governing criteria. There is no supported evidence nor grounds to rule otherwise.

“Conversely, the WBO is impaired to order its champion to face another champion from either the WBA, IBF, or the WBC, respectively. The same applies to our counterparts. Simply put, we lack jurisdiction thereof.

“Notwithstanding their lack of jurisdiction, the WBA pretends to order the rematch of a unification championship bout, a ruling we strongly believe is unenforceable. Unification bouts are voluntary agreements between the fighters and their respective teams with the approval of the relevant organizations.

“Therefore, in the absence of a voluntary agreement between the parties, the WBO cannot extend the scope of its jurisdiction. Therefore, considering the above facts, circumstances, and governing WBO provisions, this Committee strongly believes that the claims provided by Matchroom Boxing do not merit an immediate return fight. Even under the assumption that a rematch is warranted, which this Committee strongly rejects, the WBO lacks jurisdiction to order Sandy Ryan versus Jessica McCaskill.“

Sandy Ryan Denied Rematch With Jessica McCaskill By WBO image 1 — Presumably, negotiations with Jessica McCaskill have been difficult hence Matchroom’s attempt to force a rematch through the sanctioning organizations that were involved during McCaskill’s September bout with Sandy Ryan. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Based on their stance, the WBO is not willing to sanction a rematch between Ryan and McCaskill, and neither do they, nor any of the other sanctioning bodies, have the power to do so. In their letter to Matchroom, they questioned the WBA’s decision to challenge the judges’ call, suggesting that the WBO is in agreement with the result.

The WBO’s decision does not prohibit Sandy Ryan and Jessica McCaskill from negotiating a rematch, as fighters can delay their mandatory obligations in the case of unification fights, including rematches. The involvement of the sanctioning bodies also does not affect the negotiations, as they lack the authority to intervene, contrary to what the WBA apparently claimed.

As it stands, Sandy Ryan remains the WBO welterweight champion, and Jessica McCaskill holds the WBA and WBC titles. For a rematch to occur, it is a matter for both fighters and their teams to agree upon.