There was a time when referees were barely noticed. Silent guardians in the background, only stepping in when absolutely necessary. But in 2025, they’ve become central characters—praised for their protection, criticised for their caution, and, at times, blamed for ruining the show. And after last weekend, the spotlight on the referee has never burned brighter.

Boxing is a sport built on moments—the punch that changes everything, the split-second decision that seals a legacy. But too often, those defining moments aren’t determined by the fighters themselves, but by the ones with the scorecards and whistles. Judges and referees hold immense power in this sport, yet unlike fighters, promoters, or trainers, they rarely have to explain themselves.

London, UK — Conor Benn, the British welterweight boxer, has weighed in on the hotly debated Bivol-Beterbiev fight, while also discussing his much-anticipated bout against Chris Eubank Jr. In an interview with IFL TV, Benn offered his analysis of the recent match between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev and reflected on the legacy he’s continuing with the Benn vs. Eubank rivalry.

One of the biggest demands in boxing for some time now has been for officials—whether referees or judges—to explain their scorecards after each fight.