Referee Amy Pu criticized after rejecting towels in Garber TKO loss

Referee Amy Pu has faced significant criticism following a heavyweight bout at London’s O2 Arena, where she twice refused to honor attempts by boxer Dan Garber’s corner to throw in the towel.

During the match against 20-year-old Adam Olaniyan, the 41-year-old Garber was subjected to a series of heavy punches in the second round. After the first knockdown, Garber’s corner attempted to end the fight by throwing in a towel, but Pu reportedly rejected the attempt and allowed the contest to continue. Shortly after, Olaniyan landed further strikes that sent Garber to the canvas. A second attempt by the corner to throw in the towel was also dismissed by Pu before she eventually intervened to stop the fight via technical knockout.

Following the bout, Garber was seen receiving oxygen at ringside. While British Boxing Board of Control regulations grant referees the ultimate authority to decide whether a contest should be stopped, the decision to overrule a corner’s attempt to withdraw a fighter has sparked intense debate among fans and observers.