By Mesuli Zifo

Hall of Fame referee Tony Weeks has spoken for the first time since his handling of the Floyd Mayweather WBC/ WBA welterweight title unification clash against Argentinian slugger Marcos Maidana at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada last weekend.

The veteran referee took a lot of flak from fans some arguing that he allowed Maidana to get away with too much rough-house tactics in his gusty majority defeat by the pound for pound star.

Others felt Weeks was in the ring to please Mayweather as he stepped in every time the unbeaten defensive wizard shot him a glance of complaint.

Mayweather also had a lot to say about Weeks in the aftermath of the fight criticizing him for not protecting him enough during the bout.

Finally Weeks broke his silence, describing the bout as one his toughest ever.

Asked if he allowed Maidana to get away with too many fouls, Weeks revealed he was close to deducting a point from the Argentinian.

“It was the rough fight and Maidana used a lot of rough tactics and I was very close to taking a point away from him,” he said.

Weeks added that both fighters used all they could to win the bout making it a competitive affair Mayweather has been involved in a long time.

“ There were things happening from both sides but for the most part Mayweather was the cleaner fighter.”

Mayweather has indicated that he would be open to giving Maidana a rematch in September while the Argentinian whose stock rose remarkable for his gallant performance is also keen on doing it again.