WATCH: Referee Forces Boxer to Stand Up Despite Getting Hit With an Illegal Punch

The referee plays a very crucial role when two professional combatants step up against each other, swinging blows and haymakers in a professional fight. From being responsible for their safety to taking forward a clean contest, it’s the referee that is accounted for every in-ring action. That said, the recent PBC night saw a bizarre yet applaudable stance from the referee.

The super lightweight contest between Deiner Berrio and Jose Valenzuela was a high-voltage clash that went the distance. It had several intense moments. Both fighters dominated the bout on certain occasions, with Valenzuela winning via unanimous decision.

However, a cheap move could have cost him his win. In round three, he planted an illegal shot to the back of Berrio’s head. The shot sent the Colombian to the canvas. It was a hard blow and Berrio appeared battered by that hit. While it could have been a controversial stoppage, the referee dived in and almost forced Berrio to continue. He didn’t charge Jose Valenzuela for his action, neither did he count it as a knockdown.

Read More | Andre Ward Advises Caleb Plant to “Smother” Canelo Alvarez

While many people had predicted Valenzuela to stop Berrio, the same didn’t happen. Jose Valenzuela’s five-fight KO streak ended in the fight. Although he is still undefeated, boasting a record of 10-0, the latest win might have revealed a few flaws in his game. However, overpowering a veteran in Deiner Berrio was quite an achievement. But where does Berrio go from here?

Did the referee actually save Deiner Berrio?

To be precise, Berrio was saved from being stopped by an illegal hit tonight. However, as he couldn’t return to the win column, he has now lost two fights in a row. Besides, he is 2-4 in the last six fights and seems to be on a downward spiral.

However, as Berrio is just 30 and has proven his worth for a long time in the professional chain, he has the experience to resurrect himself. As the super lightweight roster has several A-listers, Deiner Berrio will have no shortage of opponents to test himself against and turn his skid around.

Watch This Story: Top 5 Best Selling PPV Fights of Floyd Mayweather’s Boxing Career