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Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy reacts to suspension
By Mark Pickering | April 22, 2006
On April 14th FIGHTFEST held FF:1 at the Canton Civic Center, Ohio with an intriguing fight card that included the much anticipated clash between welterweight standouts Forest Petz and Dan Hardy.
The vacant FIGHTFEST Welterweight Title was in contention while England’s Dan “The Outlaw†Hardy put Cagewarriors version of the title on the line against Ohio native Petz in a five round unification bout.
The match pitted two of the divisions most feared strikers, with the winner scheduled to defend both titles against Arni “The Ice Viking” Isaksson at Cagewarriors Strike 6 in Coventry, England on May 27.
The headline bout went the distance and was touted as one of the best fights of 2006 but will be remembered by many for it’s controversial conclusion.
Forest Petz took a unanimous decision which was dually questioned by Hardy, promoter Corey Fischer and sections of the crowd.
The former Welterweight Champion contests the decision and believes he dominated the fight, “He landed a couple of good shots but at the end of the fight it was obvious who had taken the most punishment. He was bleeding pretty bad. His nose had gone and he had to good cuts on his face. I was always the aggressor, always stalking and landing punches, kicks and knees†said Hardy.
He continued: “I got a couple of good takedowns and when on the ground I landed numerous damaging shots and also worked for subs. Petz just rested and hung onâ€.
Post-fight Hardy’s coach was requested to inform his client that he was due to take a drugs test. Taking into consideration Hardy’s dissatisfaction with the result, the Ohio Athletic Commission permitted the Brit some extra time and were to due to call back for him in a few minutes time. However neither Hardy or his manager were contacted again by the OAC.
Astoundingly, the Ohio Athletic Commission had a very different interpretation of post-fight proceedings issuing the British welterweight a six month suspension for failing to take an apparent drugs test. A bemused Hardy said: “I never refused any drug test and would opt for a test for every fight so I know that my opponent is clean as well. Nobody asked me to take a test, and I wasn’t aware it was required of me.
He added: “I personally feel discriminated against by the commission due to the fact I was quite vocal about the bad decision and the majority of the crowd agreed with me, as well as the promoter and the refâ€.
The Ohio law Chapter 3773-1-12 Drug Testing section G states: Failure of any contestant to supply a urine sample when requested by one or more of the persons designated by the Ohio athletic commission, shall subject the contestant to a suspension of a minimum of one eighty days for the first offence. A second and all subsequent failures or refusals to provide a requested urine sample shall be considered as grounds for license revocation.
Hardy has 10 days after the event to appeal, until Monday 24th April. An appeal must be made in writing to the Ohio Athletic Commission. If formally lodged then a hearing would be set for the Brit where he’d be required to make his case of appeal in front of the commission.
However The Outlaw remains philosophical: “This is just a slight setback in the plan and could be a blessing in disguise. It will give me 6 months to work on my game and come October there aren’t going to be many out there who will be able to compete with meâ€.
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