Christina McMahon entered the lioness' den last Sunday morning knowing it would take the performance of a lifetime to usurp long-reigning WBC World super-flyweight champion Zulina 'La Loba' Munoz.
Once named the most dangerous city in the world, Juarez, Mexico played host to an enthralling clash between McMahon (now 7-2) and 'Loba' (now 46-1-2). The perceived gulf in experience between the pair was non-existent, with Monaghan's McMahon taking the champion into deep waters before dropping a controversial unanimous decision.
It sparked a somewhat bemused reaction from AYR's Mexican commentators who simply stated "bueno" while they collected their thoughts. Though by no means a Felix Sturm vs Matthew Macklin-like hometown scandal, it was certainly difficult to make the case for Munoz winning a fiercely-contested scrap with the Ulsterwoman.
McMahon's management team, DBSM, have released the following statement indicating that the fight - or perhaps the entire card - is now under investigation by the WBC:
On behalf of Christina Mc Mahon, DBSM are releasing the following statement to clarify matters in relation to last Saturdays WBC World Title fight in Mexico involving Christina and Zulina Nunoz.
On Monday last, a report was prepared on behalf of Christina Mc Mahon and was subsequently forwarded to the WBC for their perusal. Over the last few days we have received confirmation from the WBC that last Sunday’s title fight and the overall event is now being investigated on a number of issues.
Out of respect for all involved we do not want to discuss these issues publicly other than to say that we are confident that after the due process has taken place on the relevant matters that have been raised in this report Christina will get what she deserves - a rematch at the very minimum. We have asked that this rematch take place within 12 weeks.
We will keep you updated over the coming days on how these events transpire.To conclude, Christina would like to thank sincerely all those who have sent her messages of support and good will over the past week.
The three judges scored the bout 97-94, 96-94, 96-94 in the Mexican's favour.
For what it's worth, I scored the fight 96-94 in McMahon's favour on first viewing. Having watched it back a second time, I scored it 96-94 to McMahon once more, though it really needs to be reiterated that this was an incredibly close contest. Again, a Munoz victory was by no means a disgrace (or at least not a total surprise, given hometown advantage and typical boxing judge bullshit).
I gave the first two rounds to Munoz, with McMahon taking rounds 3, 4 and 5. I also gave the sixth and eighth to the Mexican, but scored rounds 7, 9 and 10 to the 41-year-old former kickboxing champion from Monaghan. The tenth and final round was the most decisive in McMahon's favour, and in any other country in the world, probably would have seen her over the line to become WBC World super-flyweight champion.
You can make your own mind up by watching the fight back, courtesy of Irish-boxing.com:
It remains to be seen why indeed the fight or the card are under investigation - it might have nothing at all to do with scoring, and it seems unlikely that anything will come of it.
But McMahon certainly proved herself worthy of the world stage last weekend, and you get the impression a rematch with Munoz, regardless of official review, would swing in her direction were it to take place in Ireland or even America.
