Noongar boxer out of Commonwealth Games following ‘outrageous’ ref call

Despite the controversial decision, a role as First Nations sports ambassador means Alex Winwood has a bright road ahead.

The punch which ended Alex Winwood's Commonwealth Games run Source: Press Association

Alex Winwood has been knocked out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games overnight after a ‘premature’ stop to his flyweight bout against Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba.

The 25-year-old Noongar man, who had comfortably won the first round with four of the five judges' approval, looked to be hitting his stride in the second when Chinyemba rocked him with a powerful one-two.

After popping back up from the canvas, Winwood received only two counts from the ring official before the fight was called. 

Visibly shocked by the official's call, Winwood nonetheless immediately made his way across to Chinyemba and his team to congratulate them.

The two had shared the ring previously in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games where Chinyemba bested Winwood four rounds to one.

Winwood gave an emotional message to his country post fight, thanking his supporters “from the bottom my heart”.

“I really wanted to have a shot and prove myself. I know what I’m made of - I wanted to show Australia, and the world, what Australians are made of.”

“As an Indigenous Australian, I love you all, up the Aussies!” he told Channel 7.

'Impossible to believe'

Even his opponent seemed ready to continue with the match, making his way back to the Zambia corner after landing the blows. 

2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, and Winwood's teammate, Harry Garside, called the official's ruling “premature”.

“You’ve got to wait until the opponent gets up and then you’ve got to give him eight seconds, and you’ve got to look into his eyes and see where his legs are,” he told Channel 7 after the fight.

Commentator Jon Harker agreed, labeling the call as “outrageous” and “bizarre” during the coverage.

"I find that impossible to believe, absolutely impossible to believe," Harker reacted.

Not the end of the road

Winwood is an ambassador for the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) 'Share a Yarn program'.

As an ambassador for the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) 'Share a Yarn program' – which give Australian athletes meaningful opportunities to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – the 25-year-old has a bright future ahead.

Winwood is early on in his fighting career - as an amateur, he has a record of 13-10 and has traveled the world competing and representing his country and mob.

After strongly throwing his supporting behind Winwood and defending him against the controversial call, professional lightweight boxer Harry Garside was optimistic about the next move.

“Alex has a massive future in front of him.”