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Up the Ante

Anthony Fowler wins on his pro debut but came within whiskers of disqualification in the first round

26-year-old landed a fierce hook on opponent Arturs Geikins when the Latvian was down on one knee

ANTHONY FOWLER'S pro debut came within a whisker of ending in disaster when he was nearly disqualified in the first round.

The 26-year-old, who is the cousin of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, landed a fierce hook on opponent Arturs Geikins when the Latvian was down on one knee.

 Anthony Fowler was victorious on his debut fight but he could have been disqualified
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Anthony Fowler was victorious on his debut fight but he could have been disqualifiedCredit: PA:Press Association

Although it was a punch that sent Geikins to the floor, the second shot left the referee with a big decision to make.


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Geikins was given plenty of time to recover, and to be fair to the vastly outclassed boxer, he didn't do much in the way of complaining.

Fowler, meanwhile stood nervously in the neutral corner, and for a few seconds there was the real worry he could be disqualified on his pro debut.

But the referee decided to bring the boxers together, and didn't even take a point off the Liverpool hitter.

 The referee was left with a big decision to make when Anthony Fowler punched Arturs Geikins whilst he was down
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The referee was left with a big decision to make when Anthony Fowler punched Arturs Geikins whilst he was downCredit: PA:Press Association

The finish came about a minute after. Geikins, who was like a rabbit in the headlights from the off, sank to the floor after a thundering body shot, and the referee waved it off.

And the world of social media seemed to agree with many saying Fowler should have been disqualified.

Boxing fan Kevin Foster said: "Very lucky not to start his career with a DQ loss Anthony Fowler."

Stuart O'Neill wrote: "Why wasn't Anthony Fowler disqualified? Poor from the referee."

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