Huge controversy as 'gutless' boxer quits mid-fight

Vasyl Lomachenko has retained his WBO super-featherweight title after beating Guillermo Rigondeaux by TKO on Sunday.

Ukrainian Lomachenko (10-1) dominated for six rounds at The Theater at Madison Square Garden before Rigondeaux called it quits, citing a left hand injury.

The highly anticipated bout between two two-time Olympic gold medallists never reached any great heights.

Rigondeaux (17-1), moving up two weight classes, was left on the defensive throughout against Lomachenko, the duo considered among the greatest amateurs of all-time.

"Maybe I'll change my second name," Lomachenko told ESPN. "Maybe now my name is 'No-mas-chenko.'"

Both fighters made tentative and cautious starts, although Lomachenko came to life briefly in the third.

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Rigondeaux tied up his opponent repeatedly in the opening four rounds, but Lomachenko landed numerous jabs, even if they lacked much power.

Lomachenko was the aggressor throughout as Rigondeaux defended, offering little in the way of counters.

Rigondeaux was given a point deduction in the sixth and it would prove to be the final round as the Cuban called it quits before the seventh.

Yahoo Sports combat expert Kevin Iole absolutely lashed Rigondeaux's decision to call it quits, labelling him 'gutless' and 'weak'.

"Rigondeaux landed only 15 punches in six rounds, none of true significance, and he quit on his stool after the sixth, citing an injury to his left hand," Iole wrote after the bout.

"He didn’t land more than three punches in any round, according to CompuBox.

"Rigondeaux’s disgraceful decision took away some of the spotlight that deservedly belonged to Lomachenko, who did just about everything correctly in the bout."

with agencies