The Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III rematch this past Saturday witnessed a rather unusual incident. After an uneventful first round, the referee in charge of the bout, Hector Afu, stopped the fight for a punch from ‘Money,’ claiming it was an illegal shot to the back of Gotti’s head. The five-division champion was visibly upset at this charge and moments later, Mexican official Alfredo Uruzquieta stepped in to continue the bout.
But did you know, this isn’t the first time Afu, who has officiated over 375 bouts in his 21-year-long career, has been criticized for his aggressive and unforgiving style of officiating? The 54-year-old Panama native also officiated in the Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fight. Not to forget, he was also involved in the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Chazz Witherspoon fight among many others. Here’s a look back at his work.
Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury
Hector Afu faced sharp criticism for his refereeing in the Tommy Fury vs. Jake Paul bout last year, where he was accused of overstepping his role. Afu’s frequent interjections, including stopping the clock multiple times and deducting points from both fighters for minor infractions, sparked controversy.
Legendary commentator Teddy Atlas and others questioned his appointment and heavy-handed approach, with some suggesting Afu was trying to insert himself into the spotlight. His performance overshadowed the fight, with many fans and analysts expressing frustration over what they saw as an unnecessary and distracting influence on the outcome.
George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney
Even boxers themselves have criticized Afu. In June 2022, George Kambosos Jr. expressed frustration with referee Hector Afu following his unanimous decision loss to Devin Haney, criticizing the lack of intervention against Haney’s frequent clinching. Kambosos believed his punches hurt Haney, but the referee didn’t penalize Haney for holding.
“The ref didn’t give us any help with the holding,” Kambosos remarked. He felt the fight was boring due to Haney’s defensive tactics, adding, “I wanted to give this crowd a great fight.” Despite his disappointment, Kambosos remained determined, signaling his intention to adjust and come back stronger in a potential rematch against Haney. Sadly, he lost the rematch too.
Naoya Inoue vs. Stephen Fulton
Unlike Afu’s mistakes in the Mayweather vs. Gotti and Paul vs. Fury fights, he has done a splendid job in others. Hector Afu officiated the highly anticipated bout between Naoya Inoue and Stephen Fulton Jr., which took place on July 25, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan. The Panamanian referee, known for his experience in high-stakes fights, maintained control throughout the intense match. Inoue’s relentless aggression led to a decisive moment in the eighth round when he knocked Fulton down with a powerful left hand. Afu made a swift decision to stop the fight at 1:14 of Round 8 after Fulton absorbed a series of unanswered punches, ensuring the safety of the fighter and marking Inoue’s impressive victory.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Chazz Witherspoon
In a dominant display of skill and endurance in October 2019, Oleksandr Usyk secured a victory when referee Hector Afu stopped the fight after Chazz Witherspoon could not continue following the seventh round. Witherspoon, who was overwhelmed by Usyk’s relentless attacks and precision, appeared exhausted and unable to defend himself effectively.
Having endured a flurry of punches in the seventh, Witherspoon informed his corner that he couldn’t go on, prompting Afu to call the fight. Usyk’s successful heavyweight debut not only established him as a formidable contender. But also propelled him closer to achieving the status of the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Hector Afu’s performance in these fights suggests that the issues during the Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III match might have been an isolated incident. Although Afu has made some questionable calls in a few fights, these instances are overshadowed by the many other matches he’s officiated professionally and successfully. What are your thoughts? Does he warrant the anger he’s been receiving?
