According to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, junior welterweight Gary Antuanne Russell (16-0, 16 KOs) picked up a controversial stoppage win over former two-division Rances Barthelemy (29-2-1, 15 KOs).
The fight was highly competitive, with Barthelemy actually stunning Russell during the fight on more than one occasion.
Early in the sixth round, Russell connected with a right hook and dropped Barthelemy.
Barthelemy was able to get to his feet and seemed to be ready to continue - but in a stunning turn of events, the referee Shada Murdaugh waived off the fight.
After the fight was over, Barthelemy and his handlers were very vocal in protest - and the live crowd showered the outcome with their own displeasure.
Barthelemy was left stunned with the referee's decision to call a halt to the contest.
“This is the most bitter loss of my career,” said Barthelemy. “I’m destroyed. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t Russell’s fault at all. I’m a veteran, and I had been through something like that plenty of times in my career. The referee treated me like a rookie instead of the two-time world champion I am.”
Barthelemy believes the fight should have continued.
He wants to get a rematch with Russell - as long as they have a different referee involved.
“No, they shouldn’t have stopped it,” said Barthelemy. “I felt good. It was a good shot, I’m not denying that, but they shouldn’t have stopped it. I got up and told him I was fine and good to go. Of course I want the rematch with a different referee.”
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