BOXING ring announced Lt Dan Hennessey has retired after accidentally announcing the wrong winner in a horror blunder.
The bizarre moment came at the weekend in the WBA bantamweight title fight between Cherneka Johnson and Nina Hughes in New Zealand.
The two brawlers put on a top show as they battled all the way through 10 rounds.
And after a tight contest, the result went to the judges’ scorecards.
Challenger Johnson was the victor with a split decision.
But instead of announcing her as the new champ, Hennessey mistakenly told the crowd that Hughes had retained her title.
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The English scrapper celebrated wildly in the ring after the wrong call.
And Hennessey was forced to backtrack before revealing that Johnson was indeed the true winner.
But after backlash from Hughes and some fans, Hennessey has now announced his retirement.
He declared: “I love all the support from everyone. Thank you all for the kind words.
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“Unfortunately the worldwide backlash is absolutely incredible and it’s effecting my mental health to a degree where I will have 1 more show ever.
“I am doing this show because I am still a man of my word and promised Sam Rapira that I would do it because he is a great mate and I refuse to leave him hanging.
“I love and will keep in touch with all my friends from around the world. Thank you. No longer the world’s punching bag. I’m out.”
On Sunday, Hennessey had offered a heartfelt apology for his error.
He said: “I own it. It’s all on me. I take full responsibility for the Chernika Johnson V Nina Houghs controversy.
“Not the Judges, not the sanctioned body. Me. I have apologized to all involved and now I apologize to you. I am sorry for what happened.
“Again I own it and can only try and do better next time. Not my best day in the office. I guess all the s****y comments on socials I have coming.
“Again I am crushed and sorry for my s***storm of a performance. You all deserved better. Sorry again.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
