Boxing referee Jose Hiram Rivera has earned plaudits across social media after somehow staying upright following a big left hook from a professional fighter.
The WBO global cruiserweight title fight between Mario Aguilar and Brandon Glanton didn't last long, but it was full of action, with the third man in the ring even taking a big shot amid the chaos. Mexican veteran Aguilar, who has fought professionally 30 times, was knocked out within two rounds after starting aggressive against Brandon Glanton in Plant City.
But the big highlight of the fight wasn't former American football player Glanton's quick stoppage of Aguilar to go 17-0 and earn the global title. Instead, the clip that had people talking on social media was referee Rivera taking a stiff left hand from the Mexican, and staying upright to continue officiating the fight.
Glanton had Aguilar against the ropes having hurt the Mexican. As the referee stepped in looking to potentially stop the fight, he took a shot of his own, which garnered a quick apology from Aguilar, who ultimately couldn't last much longer and went down to a body shot within the first half of the round.
Paulie Malignaggi, who joined former rivals Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jr on commentary, joked that Aguilar should have just let the referee stop the fight instead of punching him. "This is hilarious," one fan wrote on Twitter. "What the hell is the ref doing?" Another was impressed at how well the referee ate the punch, which appeared to be the general sentiment.
“He came out just like I thought he would,” Glanton told fans in the ring after the fight. “He came out punching. But I don’t know why he decided to make it a battle of attrition because that’s my game. He can punch.
What did you make of the referee taking that punch from a veteran professional boxer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
"I could see myself landing the body shot coming from a mile away though. He gave it to me. Body, head. But I did not expect it to come so easily. I thought I was going to knock him out cold because he kept giving me the chin shot, but I went to the body and it was all over.”
Glanton now believes that he will move on to a cruiserweight world title opportunity against Lawrence Okolie. The Brit is also undefeated, but has been tested a bit more at the higher level than his American counterpart. There is also talk that Okolie could move up to heavyweight if he is unable to unify at 200lb, which would cost Glanton the possible fight.
