THE British Boxing Board of Control has stepped in to address the contentious ending of Saturday night’s vacant British heavyweight title bout between David Adeleye and Jeamie Tshikeva at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. Adeleye emerged victorious, halting Tshikeva in the sixth round, but the win was overshadowed by a storm of controversy involving referee Ron Kearney’s actions.
The drama unfolded in the sixth round when Adeleye, 14-1 (13 KOs), landed a sharp left hook that floored Tshikeva, 8-2 (5 KOs). The punch, however, came moments after Kearney audibly called “break,” signaling the fighters to separate. Rather than stepping in to enforce the command, Kearney circled around the boxers, allowing the action to continue. Tshikeva, dazed from the blow, struggled to rise, using his gloves to haul himself up via the ropes. Seizing the moment, Adeleye charged forward, unleashing a flurry of punches that sent Tshikeva crashing down again, prompting the stoppage.
Barry Smith, Tshikeva’s cornerman, was incensed, pointing to the initial knockdown that followed the referee’s “break” call as the source of the dispute. The uproar prompted a swift response from the British Boxing Board of Control, which convened today and announced its verdict online: “Following consideration of the Vacant British Championship between David Adeleye and Jeamie Tshikeva, which took place on Saturday, 5th April 2025 in Manchester, the Stewards of the Board have ordered an immediate rematch. Purse offers will be released shortly with bids to be received on Wednesday, 14th May 2025.”
Adeleye, unfazed by the controversy, took to Instagram after the fight, stating, “The knockout was valid. I’m aware of the comments [TKV’s] team made so I’m open to entertain a rematch. No need for questions, debate or confusion.”
With a rematch on the way, this heavyweight rivalry is set for a second chapter to settle the score.
