World Boxing Super Series Semi Final fight between Latvian boxer Mairis Briedis, left, and Polish boxer Krzysztof Glowacki, right, held at Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia, on June 15, 2019.

Boxing may be one of the most violent sports, but when two champions have a dispute, they settle it like everyone else: With lawyers in court.

More specifically, the World Boxing Organization Complaint and Grievance Committee, where a panel of three arbitrators just issued a rare appellate decision, ordering a new fight between Krzysztof Glowacki and Mairis Briedis.

The decision is a win for Glowacki, a Polish fighter who was represented by Scott Shaffer, a New York-based partner at Olshan Frome Wolosky who has carved out a niche practice representing boxers.

A former sportswriter and officer of the Boxing Writers Association of America, Shaffer argued that his client got a raw deal when he faced off against Briedis on June 15, 2019 in Latvia.

CBS Sports called it "one of the strangest fights of the year." Glowacki and Latvian-born Briedis were facing off in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series. The tournament is a big deal—it aims to bring together the best boxers in the world, with a total prize fund of $50 million.

Głowacki entered the bout as a defending champion. In the second round, Briedis "committed an intentional foul…by hitting Głowacki with an elbow to his face that knocked Głowacki to the canvas," the arbitrators held. But the referee (who is an American) only deducted one point. 

When the bell rang at the end of the round, the ref apparently didn't hear it and let the pair keep fighting. At that point, Briedis landed a right hand to Głowacki's face, causing another knockdown.

In the third round, Briedis knocked Glowacki down again. He managed to get back on his feet, but the ref stopped the fight, declaring a technical knockout for Briedis. 

In a post-fight interview, Briedis admitted he heard the bell in round two. As for the elbow, he said it was intentional but said Glowacki illegally punched the back of his head first. 

After the match, Głowacki protested to the Latvian Professional Boxing Federation, which declined to get involved. 

Shaffer took the fight to the World Boxing Organization, which after holding oral arguments issued a 2-1 decision ordering an immediate rematch.

"[I]t is the WBO's aspiration that its champions earn the greatest esteem in professional boxing by their individual capabilities as athletes and by practicing 'the highest ideals and spirit of sportsmanship,'" the arbitrators held. "This committee has no doubt that Briedis violated the WBO regulations and the fundamental principles of the organization."

Shaffer called the ruling "a big win" for Glowacki.

"A split decision win, but a big win nonetheless," he said. "He's 33 years old and does not have years to wait around for another championship opportunity. This ruling means his next fight will be for a world championship. Briedis and his promoter must now decide whether to give Glowacki an immediate rematch or else move forward in the World Boxing Super Series without the WBO championship. I know Glowacki wants the rematch because he wants to settle the score with Briedis in the ring."

Briedis was represented by Martins Kveps, LL.M. of Riga, Latvia.