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‘That’s What Happens When the Referee Cheats’: Boxing World Reacts as Video of Controversial Stoppage Resurfaces

Published 10/25/2022, 6:45 AM EDT

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Boxing is a brutal sport that can often cause serious harm to those involved. Apart from the two boxers involved, even the referee inside the ring is often in harm’s way. This video that is once again making the rounds of the internet is proof of the same.

Dating back to 2014, the video shows a boxing fight between Croatian boxer Vido Loncar (red) and Lithuanian Algirdas Baniulis (blue). The latter started the fight with a flurry of blows. This led to the referee, Magej Dziurgot, intervening.

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The Polish referee then called both contestants and proclaimed Baniulis the victor. Loncar apparently disagreed with the result and savagely attacked the referee, knocking him to the ground. He was landing some powerful strikes that hurt Dziurgot, and could only be stopped when he was dragged out of the ring by his ankles. Not to mention that while his opponent assaulted the referee, Baniulis sprinted out from the ring.

As per reports, Loncar was suspended for life by the national boxing federation after his attack on the referee, at the European youth championship in Zagreb. 

Fans reacted as Vido Loncar brutally beat the referee 

The World Boxing Organization, the European Boxing Organization, and other important boxing organizations received an apology from the Croatian federation after the incident. Witnessing this startling event, here’s what fans had to say.

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One fan felt that it was wrong on the boxer’s part and he wrote, “That’s called assault! Hope he was prosecuted!!”

“That’s what happens when the ref cheats” another fan added.

Someone pointed out the referee’s mistake and said, “Refree is corrupt! Blaming entirely on the boxer is not correct! There are always 2 sides of every coin!”

Another fan mentioned, “Good I hope the ref learnt a good lesson after that.”

“Damn the other boxer didn’t even bother trying to stop the guy. Wth.”

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“Something was up with the ref to stop the fight that quick seems a bit biased.” 

One fan wrote, “Looks like the ref got paid off then he got punished.”

“It was sure fixed. He got what he deserved hope he never refs again.”  

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WATCH THIS STORY: Boxing News Round-Up (October 19, 2022): Logan Paul Sails $400 Million Yacht: Joe Rogan Picks the Most Impressive Knockout Artist, and More

Meanwhile, what do you think about this incident? Was the referee corrupt, or the boxer was wrong? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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Written by:

Shashank Wankhede

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One take at a time

Shashank Wankhede is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports. When it comes to boxing, the blockbuster film 'Rocky' sparked his interest in the sport. He holds Muhammad Ali in great regard and is a sincere admirer of his narrative, struggle, and accomplishments.
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Edited by:

Rohini Kottu