James DeGale v Badou Jack: Watch the worrying moment Swede nearly knocks out the REFEREE after landing fierce left hook
Arthur Mercante Jr felt the full force of the WBC super-middleweight champ's swipe during his fight with Chunky
WATCH the incredible moment Badou Jack almost knocks out the REFEREE during his title-fight against James DeGale.
Both boxers lasted the whole 12 rounds at Brooklyn's Barclays Centre in New York as they desperately fought to unify the super-middleweight division.
But ref Arthur Mercante Jr was almost out in the fifth after taking one full in the face by WBC champ Jack.
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The Swede, 33, launched a stinging left hook at the end of the round which IBF king Degale swiftly dodged.
Unfortunately for American ref Mercante Jr, the man in the middle took the full force of Jack's punch.
Mercante Jr buckled under the blow and would have hit the canvas had it not been for Jack.
The Ripper took his eyes off DeGale and caught the ref, propping him up against the ropes.
The fight was temporarily stopped and Jack - who boasts 12 knock-outs in 20 wins - showed his gentle side by checking on the official.
Mercante Jr was left a little shaken and had a nasty cut on his left cheek, but was able to carry on.
DeGale, 30, and Jack soon continued and the bout ended in a draw.
One judge scored the fight 114-112 in DeGale's favour, but the other two scored it even, 113-113.
The ref was not the only man left with some battle scars.
London-born DeGale finished the clash with little to smile about - after losing his front tooth.
Chunky, who was knocked down in the final round, can be seen standing over his lost tooth as he has all eyes on Jack during the fight.
Despite his gum deal, DeGale looked raring to go again after being pictured in a hospital gown following a routine check-up.