FRANK MALONEY believes referee Terry O’Connor cost John McDermott his English heavyweight title because the Essex fighter’s dad knocked him out 32 years ago. O’Connor caused one of the biggest controversies ever seen in a British boxing ring when he scored Tyson Fury a 98-92 points winner over McDermott at Brentwood Arena on Friday. Sky TV commentators, 2000 fans packed into the sold out venue and millions of TV viewers were stunned. Many bombarded internet sites and vented their anger towards O’Connor over his decision in the ten round fight where McDermott appeared a clear winner.
Former journeyman O’Connor who won just 20 of his 44 fights when he boxed was knocked out in five rounds by Stan McDermott at the Royal Albert Hall in December 1977.
Maloney said: “I think O’Connor is incompetent, but also when he saw Stan in John’s corner got flashbacks to the night he was beaten by Stan in their match..”
Maloney who promotes McDermott met with his lawyer this morning (SAT) to consider his next move, but is pleading with the British Boxing Board of Control to change the result.
He raged: “I have spoken with my lawyer and if the Board don’t take action I will consider legal action and even lobby the Sports Minster.
“No wonder people who don’t follow boxing ask me, ‘Is boxing fixed?’. It isn’t but decisions like this will only turn people away from the sport.
“I have even had calls from Board officials embarrassed by what went on and I am asking them to change the result.
“John is distraught and considering retirement. I bet O’Connor is sitting at home in Birmingham looking forward to his next refereeing job, but God help the promoter who gets him.
“I want an urgent meeting with the BBB of C and I will also demand that O’Connor is banned for the sake of boxing.
“I have every confidence in the Board’s general secretary Robert Smith, but if they bury their heads in the sand hoping I will go away, I will push for a vote of no confidence in them.
“The TV cameras even picked up Fury’s corner telling him at the start of the final round that he needed a knockout.
“I have spoken with five national newspaper journalists this morning and the closest any of them had was two rounds to McDermott.”