Boxing promoter slams referee Bertin

Mr. Solomon Otoo Lartey, a boxing promoter has slammed referee Adorn Bertin, for hurriedly waving off the fight between Isaac Sackey and Wasiru Mohamed, in the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Super Bantamweight fight last Saturday.

Referee Bertin from Benin, stopped the fight in round three, after Mohamed delivered a hefty hook on the left jaw of Sackey, which sent him straight onto the canvas.

Sackey, within seconds lifted himself from the canvas, but the referee waived off the fight signifying victory for Mohamed and this attracted the fury of the fans of the former.

It was chaotic at the Bukom Boxing Arena, with supporters of both camps trading punches, hitting each other with plastic chairs and engaging in fisticuffs, leading to the inability on the referee to the official declaration of the champion.

Speaking in an interview with the GNA Sports, Mr. Otoo Lartey, also known as “Mangola” in boxing circles, said the referee was incompetent and does not deserve a place in the ring.

“His conduct was disgraceful. I am sure he was looking for an opportunity to rule in favour of Mohamed and so with the slightest chance he waived off the fight.

“From the way he conducted himself in the ring, it shows that, he might have been influenced with money to officiate in favour of Mohamed,” he added.

“I am still at a loss as to why he stopped the fight without giving Sackey the mandatory count, after the knockout. I dare the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to hand over the title to Mohamed.

“I would personally lead a demonstration against the GBA and all those who matter, because the verdict was unfair. The GBA and the WBO Africa must come clean,” he stated.