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Boxing
Tony Bellew gives scathing verdict on Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan referee
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Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew did not hold back when giving his thoughts on referee Marcus McDonell's decision to disqualify Paddy Donovan.
Donovan faced Lewis Crocker on Saturday night in a welterweight contest with the winner landing a shot at the IBF title which is currently held by Philadelphia's Jaron 'Boots' Ennis.
What transpired in Belfast was a hard-hitting affair with Donovan managing to put down Crocker with a body shot in the eighth despite having points deducted in rounds six and eight for use of the elbow and head respectively.
McDonell then disqualified Donovan after he hit Crocker with a right hand after the bell to end round eight was rung, and this resulted in Bellew calling for referees to be under the same scrutiny as fighters and promoters.
"Marcus McDonell has had a mare tonight," Bellew told Matchroom's Small Talk.
"Referees can be called out as well, some of his judging is terrible. Why are they the only people at boxing events who can’t be called out?
"You get called out as a promoter, if you put a s—t fight on, you get called out and get slated. As fighters, if we put a bad performance in, we have to go on camera at the end and explain what we’ve done.
"Yet he’s given some of the worst cards and worst decisions in history, and just walks off home."
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