Referee facing more criticism for not stopping fights

The man who refereed Mike Towell’s final fight was criticised for his handling of a fight earlier this year that left one boxer in a coma.

Victor Loughlin, from Paisley, pictured, is regarded as one of the best referees in the country.

However, he was criticised for his handling of the ill-tempered middleweight title fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Nick Blackwell in March.

The fight was stopped in the 10th round on medical advice due to Blackwell’s heavily swollen eye.

Blackwell then collapsed in the ring and was put in a medically-induced coma.

It was originally feared he had suffered a bleed to the brain but it later emerged it was a less serious bleed to the skull.

Some fans and experts said Loughlin should have stepped in to end the bout at least three rounds earlier.

Peter Hamlyn, who operated on Michael Watson after the boxer suffered brain injuries in a fight with Chris Eubank Sr in 1991 said he believed the fight should have stopped in round seven.

He said Blackwell has been losing the fight from the start and an earlier fight could have prevented injury.

Some spectators have also said Thursday night’s fight should have been stopped earlier.

However, there was no criticism from Blackwell.

He Tweeted afterwards: “Great win for Dale Evans, let’s hope Mike Towell is OK.”

The British Board of Boxing Control were asked to comment but had not done so at the time of going to press.