THE referee for Jack Catterall’s brutal victory over Ekow Essuman left fans fuming with his lack of intervention at a decisive moment.
Catterall defeated Essuman in a bloodbath victory on the co-main event of Conor Benn’s win over Chris Eubank Jr.
The 32-year-old Chorley southpaw bulldozed Essuman in the 11th round, knocking him out the ring and leaving the guttsy Nottingham hero needing an oxygen mask.
But earlier in the round Catterall landed a vicious combo which left The Engine on the deck.
However, referee Lee Every was blasted for his lack of intervention in separating the fighters.
A glancing blow to the side of the head was followed by a slip in the blood-soaked ring before he was caught by a three-punch combo of punches as the 36-year-old returned to his feat.
BLOOD AND THUNDER
Essuman left with golf ball-sized lump on eye & blood pouring out of nose
Every had stepped between them to try stop the fight, but Catterall still landed a jab which sent Essuman tumbling to the floor.
He tried to march on but he was buzzed and broken.
And Catterall put his foot down on his neck and hammered him until he sunk through the ropes and collapsed on the ring apron and was ruled out.
The Chorley fighter graciously elected not to celebrate the decision, instead showing concern for his fellow fighter.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
He even kneeled down alongside Essuman as he received treatment at ringside, including being given oxygen.
He put a hand to his chest next to the man in a show of respect, and it would be hard to leave the fight with anything but that for both men after what may have been the fight of the night.
Reacting on social media to the ref’s poor protection, one fan said: “That was naughty from Catterall!.”
A second said: “A referee can’t half heartedly split the fighters, he was holding Essu’s arm while while Catterall hit him…
“Absolute mess of an ending.”
A third added: “The ref was a million miles away and wasn’t in a rush to get there.”
Another said: “Bad refereeing, can’t blame Catterall for that. Plods over from a distance, no urgency.”
A fifth said: “Ref useless; opponent not helping himself either. Hard to blame Catterall here.”
