Fans In Disbelief After Footage Of 'The Worst Boxing Stoppage' In Recent Memory Goes Viral

A bizarre stoppage from a light middleweight bout between Stephen Newns Jr and Kutuk Baris has produced plenty of outrage amongst boxing fans and professionals.

In the second round of an amateur tournament in Lithuania on Saturday, Scotland-born fighter Newns Jr appeared to be in a strong position after landing some clean punches in the opening stages.

He continued to push forward, but Baris stopped any progress when he put his opponent in a headlock. Newns Jr was dragged to the canvas and well, a truly bizarre sequence of events followed.

As you can see in the footage above, the referee checks to see if the 24-year-old Scot is okay before allowing the bout to continue.

Then, after the pair are pulled apart again following a short clinch, the referee decides to give a standing count to a confused Newns Jr before controversially calling an end to the contest.

You can even heard Newns Jr's team shout 'what' moments later.

Newns Jr has since taken to social media to try and explain what happened in Lithuania.

"Although I really appreciate everyone’s support and asking if I’m ok, I feel like a broken record," Stephen Newns Jr wrote on his official Twitter account.

"So, here is exactly what happened in the second round of my final in the tournament in Lithuania two days ago.

"I’m still very shocked from what happened and I felt like I didn’t deserve this from an incompetent referee who is not doing his job properly in the final of an international competition.

"The way that he has completely ruined my chances in a gold medal bout after all the sacrifices and hard work that I put into boxing has left me disheartened.

"Despite that, I still had another enjoyable trip with my friends on the team thanks to Boxing Scotland, and I look forward to getting back in the ring and aiming for more success. Thanks everyone."

Boxing Scotland's official Facebook page gave the following assessment from the XXVI Algirdas Socikas Elite Tournament final on Saturday.

They wrote: "The Scottish contingent were left perplexed by the referee’s decision to stop this contest during what had been a spirited battle after a seemingly innocuous exchange."

Many fans and boxing professionals have also expressed their thoughts on the incident via social media.

Anthony Crolla, a former WBA lightweight champion, commented on the footage, saying: "We all get it wrong sometimes whether it be boxers, refs, judges, coaches but surely this has just gotta be blatant cheating."

IBF world champion Sunny Edwards also gave his thoughts on the clip, saying: "This is the worst stoppage I’ve ever seen in my life."

Scottish pro fighter Nick Campbell wrote: "Hard to watch… even worse when it’s a good mate on the receiving end of the most incompetent/corrupt officiating I’ve ever seen. Chin up @newnsyjr, you’re effort & sacrifice deserve a lot better than this!"

Thoughts on the stoppage?

Let us know in the comments.