Boxing fans were quick to express their criticism of the referee for the Gary Cully vs Jose Felix fight on Saturday night.
The pair clashed on the undercard of the undisputed super lightweight world title fight between Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron, which the Brit went on to win by majority decision.
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Cully was on a five fight KO streak going into the bout and he was a big favourite, but Felix pulled off a stunning upset.
In the third round of the fight Felix dropped Cully twice and was allowed to batter the Irishman for far too long before the referee stepped in.
Even after Cully’s corner threw in the towel, the referee did not seem to see it and let the fight continue, despite the home fighter quite clearly being in trouble.
And fans and fellow boxers alike were not pleased with the referee, as IBF flyweight world champion Sunny Edwards tweeted: “Should of been stopped so much earlier. Heartbroken for my good friend Gary there but someone has to save him there.”
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One fan replied saying: “That ref surely needs to be looked at horrendous performance from him no way that should have gone on.”
Another added: “Was a hard watch that Sunny. Ref has a duty to the fighters and he didn’t protect Cully one bit there. Hope the lads ok.”
Meanwhile a third said: “The ref had to call it sooner. Ridiculous to let him carry on.”
And renowned boxing journalist, Rob Tebbutt, could not understand the referee’s thought process, saying: “Terrible, reckless refereeing.
“Endangering the safety of the fighter just because he’s the promotional A-side.
“Hope Cully is okay, because he took more than a few more than he needed to.”