Here are the latest reported developments on Mark Bates, the referee tied to the Chisora vs Wilder fight.
- The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) announced they would take no disciplinary action against Mark Bates after reviewing his performance in the Wilder-Chisora bout. This conclusion was reported by several outlets in early April 2026, indicating the board was satisfied with Bates’s handling of the contest.[3]
- Ring Magazine and other boxing news outlets subsequently reiterated that Bates faced no punishment and that the BBBoC described the fight as “messy” but Bates officiated honestly, with the board not finding grounds for further action.[1][4]
- DAZN coverage asked what Bates might have gotten wrong but also reflected that the public and critics largely sought accountability that the BBBoC did not impose, reinforcing the official stance of no discipline.[8][9]
If you’d like, I can pull direct quotes from these articles or summarize the key moments critics highlighted (e.g., fight flow, separation timing, rabbit punches claims) with precise citations.
Sources
The British Boxing Board of Control has chosen not to punish referee Mark Bates in the wake of Saturday's fight between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder.
www.ringmagazine.comReferee Mark Bates was criticised for his officiating during Deontay Wilder's win over Derek Chisora.
www.dazn.comReferee Mark Bates was criticised for his officiating during Deontay Wilder's win over Derek Chisora.
www.dazn.comThe Board’s recruitment drive to find new officials approaches its end and so too does our investigation into the process. With 43 candidates now whittled down to 10, Elliot Worsell reports on the final rounds
pocketmags.comAfter reviewing the performance of the referee for Saturday’s 12-round non-title heavyweight clash between Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora, the British Boxing Board of Control will take no further action. Mark Bates, who has refereed 807 bouts since 2017, came under fire from split-decision winner Wilder, Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel, and multiple voices on social media, for his apparent failure to retain control of a chaotic contest staged at London’s O2 Arena. … The other incident that...
www.boxingscene.comThe British Boxing Board of Control has chosen not to punish referee Mark Bates in the wake of Saturday's fight between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder.
www.ringmagazine.comThe referee Mark Bates? performance in his split-decision win over Derek Chisora? led to Deontay Wilder fearing for his health... [Click Here To Read More (https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/unnerved-deontay-wilder-questions-mark-bates-future-in-refereeing)]
www.boxingscene.comWith the list of candidates whittled down from 43 to 10, Elliot Worsell was once again granted access to see the potential referees undergo their final tests with the British Boxing Board of Control
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