{"id":10209,"date":"2025-07-20T10:16:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T10:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/10209\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T10:16:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T10:16:12","slug":"boxing-ref-reveals-security-escorted-him-to-his-car-after-gallen-williams-bout-following-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/10209\/","title":{"rendered":"Boxing ref reveals security escorted him to his car after Gallen-Williams bout following threats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ref Les Fear is furious over threat he received last weekHas lodged complaint about behaviour of SBW’s camp<\/p>\n

By JAMES COONEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 21:01 EDT, 19 July 2025 | Updated: 21:01 EDT, 19 July 2025 <\/p>\n

Boxing referee Les Fear has complained to Combat Sport NSW<\/a> over conduct from Sonny Bill Williams<\/a>‘ camp after Wednesday night’s bout with Paul Gallen in Homebush.<\/p>\n

Gallen claimed a narrow win over bitter rival Williams in their long-awaited grudge match, leaving fight fans debating who really won the bout.<\/p>\n

The Cronulla Sharks icon took the verdict with two judges awarding him the eight-round bout on scores of 77-74 and 76-75, with the third giving Williams the edge, 77-74.<\/p>\n

Fear, one of Australia’s best referees, had security guards walk him to his vehicle after the bout because of the threats he was receiving, reports News Corp.<\/a><\/p>\n

‘I’m furious about it,’ Fear said.<\/p>\n

‘People around the ring could hear the abusive language.’<\/p>\n

\"Referee <\/p>\n

Referee Les Fear (pictured right) has complained to Combat Sport NSW over conduct from Sonny Bill Williams’ camp after Wednesday night’s bout in Homebush<\/p>\n

\"Fear <\/p>\n

Fear had security guards walk him to his car after the bout because of the threats he was receiving during the night<\/p>\n

‘And then at the end, I looked down to the Combat Sport Inspector and said, “Get security here right now.” I want them out of the ring and out of the venue.’<\/p>\n

Williams could be seen persistently holding throughout the bout to neutralise the pressure from Gallen.<\/p>\n

The tactic backfired in the seventh round when referee Fear penalised Williams with a point deduction after repeated warnings.<\/p>\n

Had that point not been deducted, the 39-year-old would have walked away with a draw.<\/p>\n

‘I told Sonny Bill and Paul Gallen there would be no holding,’ Fear said.<\/p>\n

‘It’s illegal to hold in boxing. I didn’t want to be pulling them apart all night because they’re a lot bigger than me.<\/p>\n

‘Sonny Bill blatantly disregarded my instructions. He didn’t listen.<\/p>\n

‘There’s rules in rugby league and there’s rules in boxing. If you do the wrong thing you get penalised.’<\/p>\n

\"Fear <\/p>\n

Fear penalised Williams with a point deduction after repeated warnings about holding<\/p>\n

Fear went on to say that he was copping abuse from Williams’ team throughout the bout.<\/p>\n

‘Everyone’s going me,’ he said.<\/p>\n

‘But at the end of the day he didn’t get the decision because he disrespected the rules of boxing. Simple as that. Sonny Bill has got to take responsibility.’<\/p>\n

Williams’ camp was indeed furious with the result, with his manager Khoder Nasser calling the decision ‘criminal’.<\/p>\n

‘Only in Australia. No other [boxing] commission in the world would have a referee like that,’ he told Stuff.<\/a><\/p>\n

‘…the last judge lives in Cronulla [Gallen’s home town]. A judge from Cronulla. Can you believe these authorities? To have a bloke from the same neck of the woods as the other guy. It’s criminal.’<\/p>\n

The result leaves Gallen with a pro boxing record of 15-3-1 with eight wins by knockout, while Williams sits at 9-2, with four wins by KO.<\/p>\n

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