Most Valuable Promotions announced late Monday night that it formally challenged Bahdi’s 12-round, unanimous-decision defeat to Schofield nine days ago at Wintrust Arena in Chicago because “the video evidence demonstrates multiple significant officiating errors that directly impacted the fight.” Though MVP’s statement didn’t provide details, the protest submitted to the State of Illinois Athletic Board at least relates to knockdowns Bahdi’s team feels referee Benjamin Rodriguez missed during the third, sixth and ninth rounds.

“Our review shows that had these knockdowns been properly ruled and scored,” MVP’s statement read, “Lucas would have won the WBA lightweight world championship by majority decision.”

Schofield (20-0, 13 KOs) first fell to the canvas just as the third round ended, but Rodriguez didn’t count it as a knockdown. Schofield didn’t appear to be hurt, but Bahdi (20-1, 15 KOs) landed a right to Schofield’s body before he went down.

About 30 seconds earlier in the third, a counter left hook by Schofield knocked Bahdi off balance and sent Bahdi’s head through the two middle ropes. Rodriguez correctly counted it as a knockdown because the ropes kept Bahdi from falling to the canvas.

A right hand by Bahdi buzzed Schofield with about 30 seconds to go in the sixth round. Rodriguez could’ve ruled the ropes helped keep Schofield on his feet several seconds later.

Schofield fell to the canvas with 23 seconds remaining in the sixth, but Rodriguez ruled he went down only after he became entangled with Badhi as Schofield tried to hold.

Another right hand by Bahdi seemingly caused a knockdown with just under 20 seconds to go in the ninth round. Schofield’s right knee appeared to touch the canvas as he held Bahdi after absorbing that shot, but Rodriguez didn’t see it.

The knockdown Rodriguez counted for Bahdi, however, was the consequence of Bahdi stepping on Schofield’s right foot, which forced Schofield to fall to his side with 2:06 on the clock in the 11th round.

Judges Dave DeJonge (116-110), Alfredo Gallardo (119-108) and Steve Weisfeld (115-111) all scored the fight for Schofield by at least four points. Schofield, who entered the ring ranked No. 1 among the WBA’s 135-pound contenders, defeated the second-ranked Bahdi for a then-vacant championship taken from long-inactive Gervonta Davis.

“We have a responsibility to advocate for our fighters, especially when a world championship is at stake,” MVP’s statement concluded. “Lucas deserves a fair result, and we believe the evidence warrants a thorough review. We have submitted our findings to the WBA and requested an immediate rematch. Our fighters put everything on the line when they step into the ring, and MVP will always stand behind our athletes and advocate for the opportunities and fair treatment they deserve.”

The WBA can order a rematch, but only the regulatory agency, in this case the State of Illinois Athletic Board, can officially change the result of a fight.