Mike Towell fight ref Victor Loughlin was at centre of controversy over Chris Eubank Jr coma bout

THE referee in charge of Mike Towell's fight was at the centre of controversy earlier in the year when he was accused of taking too long to stop a bout that left a boxer in a coma.

Victor Loughlin was slammed for his handling of Chris Eubank Jr’s ill-fated fight with Nick Blackwell in March.

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Loughlin, from Paisley, ended the British title bout in the tenth round on the ringside doctor’s advice due to Blackwell’s heavily swollen left eye.

Blackwell, 25, went into an induced coma after collapsing in the ring with a bleed on the brain.

Fans claimed Loughlin should have stopped the fight at least three round earlier.

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Eubank Jr, 26, said at the time: "I'm glad the doctor stopped the fight because the referee wasn't going to."

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Boxing boss Tommy Gilmour defended the ref. He told The Scottish Sun: "I’ve known Victor since he came into the game and he’s a particularly good referee.

“He’s one of those guys - you know you’re in safe hands."

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Blackwell has made a full recovery but will never box again.

'Iron' Mike Towell is fighting for his life this morning after he collapsed last night.

The Dundee fighter took an eight-second count after being sent to the canvas in the first round.

He crashed down again in the fifth and was allowed to continue. But medics raced into the ring seconds later after he hit the floor

One onlooker said ref Loughlin “should have stopped the fight earlier”.