Lenny Daws disqualified in European title fight
Wednesday 9 December 2015 15:02, UK
Lenny Daws was controversially disqualified as he failed in his bid to land the vacant EBU super-lightweight title against Spain's Ruben Nieto.
The 36-year-old had recovered from a knockdown in the third round to be ahead on all three judge's scorecards going into the 10th.
A clash of heads left Nieto with a nasty cut to his right eye, and after a ringside examination the doctor deemed the fight should be stopped.
Referee Freddy Rafn judged the butt to be deliberate, but there was confusion in the ring as both corners celebrated before the official announcement was made.
"We clashed heads - yes. And he came off worse - yes. The doctor has had a look and said he can't continue and then the ref has come to me and said you're disqualified," Daws told Channel Five.
"It seems a very funny decision. It wasn't intentional - he's come in and I've just tucked up. Then his corner was celebrating and jumping around but we had no idea what the outcome was.
"As it went on I was starting to feel better and I was pressing him. I could see him getting very tired but it's just one of those mad things."
Furious promoter Mick Hennessy blasted referee Rafn for his performance and has demanded an immediate rematch.
"It's disgraceful - that referee was so incompetent," Hennessy said. "All night long Nieto hit Lenny with some heavy low blows. In the end Lenny couldn't contain it anymore and he walked away only to be given a standing eight count.
"I told the supervisor that Nieto's protector was riding up too high. Lenny was landing some lovely body shots but they couldn't get through. The supervisor told the referee three times and he did nothing about it.
"Then after the doctor has stopped the fight, the referee disqualifies him. I'll do all I can to get this turned over or at worst get a rematch. Unless there is a hidden agenda, anyone who watches that video will give us a rematch."
Earlier in the evening heavyweight Hughie Fury, cousin of new world champion Tyson, took his record to 18-0 with a first-round stoppage of Larry Olubamiwo.
