‘Never forgive myself’: Leading boxing referee Les Fear hits back after online abuse

One of Australia’s leading boxing referees has responded after copping a week of online abuse for stopping Harry Garside’s comeback fight.

One of Australia’s leading boxing referees has hit back at critics and online trolls after copping a barrage of abuse for waving off Harry Garside’s comeback win over Charlie Bell.

Referee Les Fear is still receiving blowback one week after stopping the fight ahead of the sixth and final round at the Hordern Pavilion.

In his first professional fight in three years, Garside had won every round, and Fear had warned Bell’s corner a round earlier that he would stop the fight if the Queenslander didn’t start fighting back.

Bell was furious at the stoppage, and needed to be held back by a cornerman as he protested, but quickly hugged Fear when he realised the ref was just protecting him.

In commentary, Tim Tszyu said he wanted the fight to keep going.

“I think Charlie Bell deserved to continue on,” he said. “I don’t think he was ever really hurt. He’s an Aussie warrior, I feel like it could have continued.

“You can see by his facial expressions, he wanted to finish the fight. I guess the referee is trying to protect him, but I don’t know.

“Harry was landing some really clean shots.”

Harry Garside Charlie Bell. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Tszyu’s comments caused headlines and Fear received criticism from the general public.

But the veteran ref has a simple response to his critics.

“I don’t want another Davey Browne Junior,” he told Code Sports of the Sydney fighter who passed away after a fight in 2015.

It might sound dramatic, but Fear says it’s a reminder of boxing’s inherent danger.

“People forget that it’s a violent sport,” he said. “The head’s not meant to be hit by someone with a pair of gloves on.

“I went to the corner and said he was getting hit, but nothing was coming back.

“Now, if they were in exchanges and swapping blows, I would’ve left it, but that wasn’t the case.

“I was looking out for the kid’s best interests and making sure that he can walk out of the ring and go to see his family.

“People think it can never happen. But it does.

“I’ll never forgive myself if someone gets hurt on my shift.”

Fear raises Garside’s hand in victory. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

A former fighter, Fear has refereed and judged more than 1000 fights in a 20 year career as an official.

He has refereed some of the biggest names in Australian boxing, including Tim and Nikita Tszyu, Jai Opetaia, Sam Goodman and Michael Zerafa, as well as Davey Browne’s brother, Tommy.

He has experience at all levels as well, and has officiated fights involving Sonny Bill Williams, Paul Gallen and Justin Hodges.

His message to critics is that the job isn’t as simple as it looks on TV.

“All respect to Tim, I get on well with him and I’ve known him for many years, but he’s a fighter. He’s not a referee,” Fear said. “That’s not putting Tim down, he’s entitled to his opinion.

“But my job is to focus on two fighters in the ring, and I was concerned about the one getting beaten.

“I’m not going to sit here and apologise for doing my bloody job.”