News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

AMIR Khan’s defence of his world title ended in chaos last night.

The fight was stopped by the ringside doctor in the sixth round after an ­accidental clash of heads.

Paul McCloskey, the ­outclassed challenger, came off the worst and had blood streaming into his left eye – but wanted to fight on even though he knew he was ­behind on points.

Incredibly, the doctor and referee did not allow the challenger’s corner to patch up the damage before ­making a final decision.

Paul McCloskey is told the fight is over (Pic:Getty)

Barry Hearn, the ­challenger’s manager, was incensed the fight had ended prematurely.

He climbed into the ring, and angrily shouted: “You’re a disgrace” while pointing at the doctor.

McCloskey could not ­camouflage his ­disappointment.

He said: “I’ve been waiting for this fight my whole life and it has been taken away from me by a doctor. My ­corner were not even given a chance to work on it. I’m shocked and I am numb. It’s ridiculous.”

It was an unsatisfactory ­ending as the 17,000 fans ­inside the MEN Arena booed in disgust as the judges ­handed in their scorecards for the points to be added up. The unanimous Khan win was ­totally predictable.

The collision appeared to be entirely accidental but ­McCloskey’s request for a ­re-match fell on deaf ears.

Khan had endured a week of debate about the television coverage as the broadcasters failed to see the fight with ­McCloskey as a major ­marquee event.

Khan didn’t like that as he made his first appearance in England since December 2009. And while he retained his crown he made it clear ­McCloskey’s tilt at world title glory was over.

Khan said: “I was winning on all the cards. It was so easy. I was fighting at my own pace.

“The ref chose to stop the fight. The ref offered him the chance to carry on and he refused to carry on.

“There’s no motivation for me to fight Paul again. I’m going up a level to fight for a unanimous world title.

“Paul McCloskey is at a European level and I’m the world level.

“I won every round and if the fight had gone on he could have got badly hurt.”

Khan made a high-tempo start as if he sensed he could finish it early and grab an early night.

Any hint of aggression by McCloskey sparked waves of passionate support from the 6,000 Irishman who had followed their hero to the Manchester.

And while the atmosphere inside the arena was electric the fight wasn’t.

McCloskey did not appear overawed by his presence in a world title fight but he struggled to lay a meaningful glove on the champion.