In Round 2 of the bout scheduled for eight, referee Hector Afu stopped the action to warn Floyd Mayweather about hitting his opponent to the back of the head. The 50-0 fighter did not agree with his critique. And a prolonged stop to the action ensued as they argued and Afu looked to the scoring table for support.
Eventually, Mayweather can be seen saying, “Get me a new ref,” and that is exactly what happened. Afu disappeared from the ring and then was quickly replaced by Alfredo Uruzquieta. The fact that a new referee could be installed so fast, and the fight immediately restarts will surely make some wonder if the moment was staged.
However, Mayweather and his Mayweather Promotions helped to put on the bout. So the boxing legend had unusual control over the event. It isn’t impossible that being able to remove referees during fights is part of his contract. Either way, it was another odd moment in the final chapters of “Money’s” fighting career.
