Amy Pu made an unusual decision during Dan Garber’s fight on the undercard of Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 at London’s O2 Arena, refusing two separate towel throws from Garber’s corner before the bout was finally stopped.
Garber entered the ring for the seventh fight of the year at 14-10 and managed to survive the first round. But at the beginning of the second round, Adam Olaniyan unloaded on him and sent him to the canvas. As Garber tried to get back to his feet with the count reaching eight, his corner threw in the towel.
Pu did not accept that first attempt to stop the fight and allowed it to continue once Garber got back to his feet. Moments later, Olaniyan landed another huge right hand that floored Garber again. His corner threw in the towel a second time, but Pu continued the count and later waved off the bout.
Why the referee could refuse the towel
The sequence drew attention because referees are technically allowed to refuse a towel throw. Under British Boxing Board of Control regulations, the corner can bring its man out, but the towel does not automatically end a bout. The referee still has the authority to decide whether to stop the fight.
That distinction became the focus after Garber received oxygen ringside once the fight was over. The decision not to stop the action after the first towel throw quickly prompted online backlash, especially because Garber had already been under heavy punishment before the second knockdown ended the contest.
The result was a harsh ending for Garber and a memorable officiating moment for Pu on a busy night at London’s O2 Arena. For fighters and corners, it was also a reminder that while a towel can signal distress, the final call can still rest with the referee.
