Referee Amy Pu is facing significant backlash after ignoring two attempts by a fighter's team to stop a heavyweight match at the O2 Arena in London. The controversy stems from a bout between Adam Olaniyan and Dan Garber.
The two ignored towels at the O2 Arena
During a high-profile event that also featured Daniel Dubois' victory over Fabio Wardley, referee Amy Pu allowed a heavyweight contest to continue despite the corner throwing in the towel on two separate occasions. According to the report, the match invovled Adam Olaniyan, who maintains a 5-0 professional record, and Dan Garber, who entered the ring with 14 wins and 10 losses.
The refusal to stop the fight immediately triggered outrage among spectators and social media users, who viewed the decision as a failure to protect the athlete. while the fight eventually concluded, the visual of a towel hitting the canvas—the universal signal for surrender in combat sports—being ignored twice has become the focal point of the controversy.
BBBofC regulations and the referee's ultimate authority
The tension in this incident arises from a conflict between sporting tradition and official mandates.. As the report says, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) regulations explicitly state that referees hold the sole authority to decide when a fight should be stopped. Under these rules, the act of throwing in the towel does not automatically end a bout; it is merely a request from the corner that the referee may choose to grant or deny.
This incident echoes a long-standing tension in professional boxing reegarding the balance of power between the corner and the official. While the BBBofC provides a legal shield for referees like Amy Pu, the broader trend in combat sports has moved toward a "safety first" approach. The insistence on referee autonomy over a clear signal of distress from a fighter's own team is increasingly seen as an antiquated risk in an era where brain trauma and fighter welfare are under intense scrutiny.
Amy Pu's path as the UK's first female professional referee
The controversy surrounds a trailblazing figure in the sport . Amy Pu, a 41-year-old from Taiwan, became the first and only female professional boxing referee in the United Kingdom in 2024. Having taken up the sport in her 30s while living in London, Pu has been vocal about the systemic racism and sexism she has encountered in a traditionally male-dominated environment.
For many supporters, the criticism of Amy Pu's decision-makinng is inextricably linked to her identity as an Asian woman in a position of authority. these advocates argue that her achievements in breaking a glass ceiling should be recognized, even as her technical performance in the Olaniyan-Garber fight is questioned. however, critics maintain that the responsibility of ensuring fighter safety is an absolute duty that transcends the referee's personal or professional milestones.
Dan Garber's third house and the missing safety review
Despite the public outcry, the fighter at the center of the storm, Dan Garber, appeared unbothered by the incident. Garber took to Facebook to express satisfaction with his earnings from the fight, noting that the purse was sufficient to allow him to purchase a third house. This pragmatic response from the athlete contrasts sharply with the alarm raised by fans and safety advocates.
However, several critical questions remain unanswered. It is currently unclear whether the British Boxing Board of Control has launched a formal review of the footage to determine if Amy Pu's refusal to stop the fight constituted negligence. Furthermore, the report does not clarify if there were specific communications between the corner and the referee that justified the continuation of the bout. Until the BBBofC addresses whether the "towel rule" requires a modern update to become an automatic stoppage, the sport remains in a precarious position regarding fighter health.
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