- Mar 4, 2008
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The referee has lodged an official complaint to Combat Sports NSW over the behaviour of SBW's camp after a series of threats were made to him and they had to have security escort the ref out of the arena.
Fight Referee, Les Fear is a respected 26-year referee and former boxer
Fight Referee, Les Fear, Said:
“I’m furious about it,” Fear said.
“People around the ring could hear the abusive language.
“And then at the end, I looked down to the Combat sport inspector and said, ‘Get security here right now.’ I want them out of the ring and out of the venue.”
Fear said he made his instructions clear to both fighters before the bout.
“I told Sonny Bill and Paul Gallen there would be no holding,” he said.
“It’s illegal to hold in boxing. I didn’t want to be pulling them apart all night because they’re a lot bigger than me.
“Sonny Bill blatantly disregarded my instructions. He didn’t listen.
“There’s rules in rugby league and there’s rules in boxing. If you do the wrong thing you get penalised.”
Fear says he had no option but to deduct a point from SBW after he had ignored repeated warnings.
Boxing experts all agreed with the decision.
“He was laying all over Gallen,” Fear said.
“When I kept warning him, he looked at me like I was nothing. He did it again so I took a point off him.
“Then I threatened to disqualify him and he looked at me like I was a piece of shit.
“Personally, he’s a lovely bloke but when he’s around his people, it’s different.”
Fear said there was constant abuse from SBW’s team during and after the fight.
“Everyone’s going me,” he said.
“But at the end of the day he didn’t get the decision because he disrespected the rules of boxing. Simple as that. Sonny Bill has got to take responsibility.”
Fear has lodged a statement with his version of events from the evening.
“My job is to make sure both fighters abide by the rules,” he said.
“I’m not going to be persecuted for doing my job.
“I’m only saying all this because I was disrespected. I’m not complaining but I’m also not going to cop it.
“I’m in there looking after two fighters and to make sure they make it home to be with their families. That’s all that counts for me.”
