In a stunning display of sportsmanship, a heavyweight boxer has implored a referee to stop a fight he was winning, out of concern for his out-classed opponent.

It took 42 seconds into the second round of Willis Meehan's fight against Leamy Tato before the referee called off the fight.



The undercard to the big Joseph Parker bout should have been stopped sooner.



The fight ended with Meehan landing a series of direct shots to Tato's head before he was seen yelling at the ref, imploring him to stop the fight.



Clearly incensed by the lack of care for his opponent's welfare, Meehan put his arm around Tato and led him back to his corner for treatment.



It should have been stopped at the end of the first round, such was Meehan's dominance over a defenceless Tato.



In the end Meehan implored the fight to be stopped after he had backed Tato into the same corner where he had dealt out similar punishment just a few minutes earlier.



Meehan, the young son of veteran heavyweight Kali Meehan, simply had too much power and class for a fighter called in at late notice, who had neither the size nor skills to offer a challenge.



A concerned Meehan hugged Tato for a long time after the fight was called off and guided him back to his corner.



"He came to fight under the circumstances and he did," Meehan said later.

HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Izuabge Ugonoh knocks out Ibrahim Lebaran during the Interim WBA Oceania Heavyweight bout.

"But I think when the ref sees it's an obvious outclassing he should step in earlier.

"But it's the hurt business we are in. I got the job done and he's safe, he's on his two feet at the end of the night."

Meehan said he was "holding back" on his punches at the end of the first round, waiting for the referee to call it off.

It was Meehan's first fight in more than nine months and he's eager for more action.

He will fight on the undercard of Anthony Mundine in Australia next month but is keen to return to New Zealand for the Fight For Life promotion in Hamilton in early December.

He issued a challenge to rising New Zealand heavyweight Hemi Ahio.

"I'd love to fight him. I'd jump at that fight. I want to keep busy."

IZU UGONOH (POL) V IBRAHIM LABARAN (GHA)

Izu Ugonoh's stocks continued to rise with a first round demolition job.

The 28-year-old Polish heavyweight of Nigerian descent claimed the interim WBA Oceania and WBO African titles with a 2m 38s TKO of Hong Kong-based Ghana fighter Ibrahim Labaran.

More importantly, he could soar into the top 15 rankings with either organisation as he claimed his first belts and took his career to 14-0 with 11 KOs.

A regular visitor to New Zealand over the last 18 months, Ugonoh claimed notoriety with his last win in Invercargill when his second round knockout sent Kiwi Will Quarrie out of the ring and on to the dinner plate of a corporate guest. A video clip went viral, earning more than three million views and the punch seems destined to be on knockout of the year nominations as 2015 closes.

Opening with a powerful jab and following up with a strong overhand right that floored Labaran early. He quickly followed up with another right soon after and Labaran, the Ghana champion who is a blown up cruiserweight, was finished.

With plans to promote Ugonoh in his native Poland with headline status, trainer Kevin Barry clearly has another lively prospect on his hands.

The Las Vegas-based former world kickboxing champion has size to go with his power, something which has endeared him to the Parker camp where his regular sparring and training with Parker is seen as invaluable.

But he's showing he's a classy prospect in his own right.

GUNNAR JACKSON (NZ) v DANIEL MAXWELL (NZ)

Middleweight Jackson got his career back on track with a clear points decision over six rounds against a brave Maxwell.

The Tauranga fighter lost his WBO Oriental belt to Australian Kerry Hope in Brisbane in May.

But Jackson, who went 10 rounds with Mundine in 2014, clocked up his 22nd win, simply being too busy for Taranaki's Maxwell.

Mixing body shots with the some well-time rights to Maxwell's head, Jackson was able to stay on attack for long periods.

It was 38-year-old Maxwell's 33rd loss.

DAVE "BROWN BUTTABEAN" LETELE (NZ) v KALENI TAETULI (NZ)

A strong finish saw Letele regain his belt and his honour with a majority points decision against the former Southland NPC rugby player.

Taetuli, who knocked out Letele in just 28s in their recent Invercargill fight, started powerfully, using his big left hand to dominate the first two rounds.

Letele, who had clearly been wary, started to find his range in the third round and got much more busy.

He completely dominated the fourth, using some big right hands to good effect to sway the judges in this corporate rules fight fought over four, two-minute rounds.

JEFF HORN (Aus) v ALFREDO BLANCO (Arg)

Highly rated Australian welterweight Horn had his hands full with Blanco, taking a hard-earned a unanimous points decision over 10 rounds.

Horn, rated No 7 with the WBO, No 12 with the IBF and No 13 with the WBA, struggled early with the unorthodox approach from the Argentine southpaw who through some big left hooks and looked to use his uppercut.

Horn used the more traditional method to slowly but surely wear his awkward opponent down, cleverly cutting off the ring and engaging Blanco in the corners where he dominated with combinations but also struggled with Blanco's clever clinging.

The rugged Blanco, with his low stance, hung tough. But he was reduced to counterattacks that lost their fury as the fight wore on.

Horn clealry struggled with his range but his inability to translate his dominance into an early finish was his major frustration as he looks to push further into the most competitive weight division.

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