Judge cleared of looking at phone during fight

English boxing judge Terry O’Connor did not look at a cell phone while scoring a fight on Oct. 17, according to an investigation by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

O’Connor was alleged to have looked at the phone while he sat ringside to score Lewis Ritson’s controversial win over Miguel Vazquez at the East of England Showground Arena in England.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted a picture of the incident and wrote: “If that’s a phone (and I presume it is) then then BBBofC should immediately remove him.”

The Board said in a statement Friday: “Following extensive consideration of footage and Mr. O’Connor’s evidence supplied, the Stewards are satisfied that Mr. O’Connor was not in possession of any telephone or handheld device whilst carrying out his duties as a Judge in the contest between Lewis Ritson and Miguel Vazquez and his scoring of said bout was not affected in any way.

“In addition, Mr. O’Connor’s scoring of the bout was considered and whilst judging a contest is subjective and following Mr. O’Connor’s explanation of how he scored the bout, the Stewards are satisfied that Mr. O’Connor’s final score reflected his own opinion of the contest.”