David Haye ripped into the referee after he failed to stop Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury was defeated by Usyk who became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years, edging the Briton with a split decision on the judges scorecards.
Usyk actually came close to a stoppage however, after unloading a brutal barrage on his rival in the ninth round which saw a knockdown scored, but Fury managed to survive the standing count.
Many suggested referee Mark Nelson should have stopped the fight with Fury not throwing back and taking some punishing shots as the bell approached.
And in new footage, reaction of former world champion David Haye, has been caught on camera as he screamed instructions at the referee.
He began screaming and applauding as Usyk got into the ascendancy after landing a booming left hook which saw Fury retreat to the ropes.
The ‘Gypsy King’ was then given a standing count, but managed to cling on and get the opportunity to go back to his stool after the bell sounded for the end of the stanza.
Haye shouted: “What the f*** was that? That’s the most bull**** thing ever. What is he [referee Nelson] doing?”
‘Hayemaker’ was clearly unimpressed with the decision to allow Fury to continue, but the official will feel it was justified with the ‘Gypsy King’ using his remarkable powers of recovery.
After the showdown, he clarified his reaction insisting that the referee made the wrong decision.
He said on the broadcast: “If Fury was doing that to Usyk it would have been stopped. The referee stopped him and his opportunity.
‘Then gave him 20 seconds to completely recover. It looked really bad from ringside. Even Fury fans said, “thanks ref.”‘
Fury’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk also commented on the contentious decision, adding: “I’m exhausted, of course I was backing Usyk all fight.Â
“No disrespect to the referee but I think he stopped a KO in the ninth but anyway it was a tremendous performance.
“It was unbelievable and I hope to see more in the rematch.”
Fury prevented the stoppage but now faces a return to the drawing board after suffering the first defeat of his professional career.
It is expected the pair will meet in an immediate rematch in October, with promoter Frank Warren confirming that is the intended plan.