Advertisement

'How people die': Boxing world in shock over 'shameful' scenes

Francisco Santana, pictured here after copping some heavy punishment.
Francisco Santana was allowed to continue despite receiving some heavy punishment. Image: Fox Sports

The boxing world was left shellshocked on Sunday during the undercard of Errol Spence Jr’s comeback bout against Danny Garcia.

Fighting for the first time since a horrific car crash in September 2019, Spence scored a unanimous decision victory over Garcia to retain his WBC and IBF welterweight championships.

NOT NICE: Legend's daughter dragged into ugly boxing beef

CRAZY: Mike Tyson attacked by fan after boxing comeback

However the drama came during the undercard in a welterweight clash between Josesito Lopez and Francisco Santana.

Fans and commentators were left furious when Santana’s corner sent him out for more punishment when he clearly looked a beaten fighter.

The American veteran was dropped in the first, ninth and 10th rounds before the referee called the fight off.

But for many the call came way too late.

Some believed the ninth-round knockdown should have forced Santana’s corner to throw in the towel, however they inexplicably allowed their man to continue.

Santana stumbled back to his chair at the end of the ninth, only to received more punishment in the 10th.

The referee finally called off the fight, but not before Santana was sent tumbling to the canvas for a third time.

Francisco Santana and Josesito Lopez, pictured here during their welterweight fight.
Francisco Santana and Josesito Lopez during their welterweight fight. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Boxing world rages over ‘shameful’ scenes

TV commentators suggested Santana was “too brave for his own good” and “almost too prideful”.

Boxing writer Dan Rafael was highly critical of Santana’s trainers for letting him continue.

“Lopez is basically destroying Santana, who has nothing but heart. Good dude. The fight should be stopped,” Rafael wrote.

“FINALLY the ref stops that beating. Josesito Lopez TKO10 Francisco Santana. The ref and corner let Santana down letting that go so long. Shameful.”

Boxing promoter Lou DiBella said watching the fight “made him sick”, labelling it an “abomination”.

“Too many refs and commissions DON’T KNOW WHAT THE F*** THEY ARE DOING!!!!!” he wrote.

And they weren’t alone.

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.