WHEN referee Dan Stell jumped in midway through the Emiliano Moreno-Cesar Francis fight in February, there was an understandable air of confusion both in the arena and at home.
Up to the point of a finish that was premature to say the least, both men had engaged in a tactical affair as prospect Moreno stood off using his jab. Across the ring, Panamanian fighter Francis waited for his moments to attack.
Just as the tepid action heated up, it quickly cooled down again. Francis was wobbled for a split second, moved into the corner and Mr Stell decided he was in no position to continue, waving the fight off in round seven.
At the time of the “knockout”, two of the three judges had Francis ahead 58-56, while the third had it 57-57. Boos rained in, although this ending was as damaging for Moreno, a now-12-0 prospect from Long Beach, who did not ask for such a contentious event to occur. On June 2, the California Athletic Commission overturned the bout to a no-contest.
“What was that?!” yelled Pro Box TV commentator and former world champion Paulie Malignaggi, struggling at ringside to explain things at the time. The fight was taking place on the undercard of Gabe Flores’ win over Jose Arellano, part of a six-fight card promoted by Robert Garcia.
Mr Stell has refereed 11 contests since, although his last assignment arrived on April 27. Moreno was back in action three days ago, recording a seventh-round stoppage over Erick Bone in a bid to erase the memories of a bad call that has since been corrected. Perhaps a rematch will take place, though it’s unlikely Dan Stell will receive the call to officiate should it take place in his region.
