In an unfortunate twist at the WBA bantamweight title match, ring announcer Dan Hennessey made a critical error that temporarily awarded the victory to the wrong fighter, leading to confusion and controversy. The bout between Cherneka Johnson and Nina Hughes, which went the distance, ended in a dramatic scene due to this announcer’s blunder.
After a hard-fought match, both fighters, alongside Hennessey and the referee, convened in the ring for the official announcement. Initially, Hennessey declared Hughes the winner, prompting celebrations from her corner. However, moments later, amidst a tense atmosphere, he corrected himself by announcing Johnson as the actual winner by split decision.
The incident left Hughes bewildered and visibly upset. “I just don’t get it,” she expressed in a post-fight interview with Sky Sports. “How can they announce I had won and then change the scores? I thought I’d dominated early. I thought she won a few of the later rounds but I felt like I won it comfortably.” Hughes, who suffered the first professional loss of her career due to this decision, called the situation a “joke” and strongly voiced her demand for a rematch, feeling robbed by the mishap.
Johnson, on the other hand, was relieved when the correct decision was finally announced. Despite the confusion, she felt justified in the outcome. “I’m not the judge and I’m just glad that they figured out the wrong decision,” Johnson stated. “Nina was a tough fight. I’m not the judges, but I definitely think I won that fight. I’m just over the moon I won this bout.”
The incident did not go unnoticed by commentators and critics. ESPN’s Joe Tessitore criticized the handling of the announcement, describing it as an “absolute clown show, garbage amateur hour.” His harsh words reflected the frustration felt by many watching the event.
Following the bout, Hennessey took to Facebook to issue a public apology. “I own it. It’s all on me,” he wrote. “I take full responsibility for the Cherneka Johnson vs Nina Hughes controversy.” Hennessey expressed deep regret for his mistake and the chaos it caused, apologizing to the fighters, the audience, and all involved parties. He vowed to learn from this mistake and improve in the future.
This incident highlights the critical role that ring announcers play in the smooth execution of boxing events and the significant impact of their errors. It also underscores the emotional rollercoaster that athletes endure, influenced heavily by the accuracy and professionalism of event facilitation. As the dust settles, the boxing community awaits to see if a rematch will be arranged to right the wrongs of this controversial fight night.
