SHOCKED fans saw a referee whacked flush on the jaw by a heavyweight fighter amid a controversial climax to a title eliminator.
Franklin Ignatius accidentally caught official Victor Loughlin in the face – just as the ref was stopping the fight in favour of Jeamie TKV.
Franklin Ignatius caught ref Victor Loughlin by mistake at the end
Ignatius still had one more swing in him as the ref ended the bout
Some viewers were surprised the bout was stopped, with 30-year-old TKV handed victory by a sixth-round technical knockout.
And all were stunned by what happened at the end of the contest at the Copper Box Arena.
TKV – aka Tshikeva – was pounding his fellow Londoner on the ropes when Loughlin stepped in to halt proceedings.
But at the very moment the ref intervened, Ignatius was offloading a wild swing.
It caught Loughlin on the jaw – but the Scot, who has been officiating since 2002, barely flinched.
Instead he put his arms across Ignatius, shaking his head repeatedly and gently explaining why he had stopped the eliminator for the eliminator for the English heavyweight title.
It left TKV celebrating his seventh win in eight fights – after a first defeat for Ignatius, 29 in the same number of contests.
One fan said: “Refs got a chin on him” while another added: “Damn the ref almost got chinned.”
Loughlin appeared to be caught square on the jaw
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A third added: “I think the ref was concussed there tbh.”
But there was some disagreement over Loughlin stepping in – and plenty of criticism over Ignatius’ performance.
One observer argued: “Was going TKVs way but that was one poor stoppage.”
Another posted: “I wonder if the fight was stopped too quickly, but what a performance from Jeamie Tshikeva!”
Scathing verdicts on the loser included: “Ignatius… Stunk it out.”
However, there was praise for TSK.
One wrote: “It’s a big shock! Tshikeva made a big impression!”
Another claimed: “Impressive win for Tshikeva! He showcased some serious skills.”
Ignatius spent the early rounds looking for space to deliver powerful blows from distance.
But TKV got on top by hustling in closer to rain in punches, notably left hooks.
Ignatius suffered a cut and a point deduction in the fifth round after a clash of heads.
And as TKV revved up the pressure in the next round, a series of clubbing right-handers persuaded Loughlin to cut proceedings short.
That set up the older man, from Tottenham, for a shot at the English crown.