American boxing ring announcer Dan Hennessey resigned after calling out the wrong winner following a title fight between Cherneka Johnson and Nina Hughes in Australia. Hennessey mistakenly announced Hughes as the winner of the WBA bantamweight title, causing a social media backlash that affected his mental health. He announced his resignation on Facebook, stating that the worldwide backlash was too much to handle, and that he would be stepping down after one more show. The resignation came after the controversy shocked the boxing world, with ESPN’s Joe Tessitore criticizing Hennessey for the mistake.
During the fight between Johnson and Hughes, the judges’ decision determined the winner, with both fighters eagerly waiting to hear the outcome. Hennessey initially announced Hughes as the winner, causing her to celebrate before the error was noticed. He then corrected himself, revealing that Johnson had won via split decision. Hughes, who initially believed she had won the fight, expressed confusion and frustration with the situation, feeling that she had been robbed of the victory. Johnson, on the other hand, expressed relief and happiness to hear that she had actually won the bout.
Following the drama, Hennessey issued an apology on Facebook, taking full responsibility for the controversy. He acknowledged his mistake and apologized to all involved, as well as to the public. Despite the error, Johnson expressed her joy in winning the fight and praised her opponent for putting up a tough fight. She believed that she had won the match and was grateful that the correct decision was eventually made. The aftermath of the incident led to reflections on the importance of accuracy and professionalism in the world of boxing and sports announcing.
The incident highlights the pressure and scrutiny that announcers face in high-stakes sporting events, where one mistake can have a significant impact on the outcome. Hennessey’s resignation serves as a reminder of the consequences of errors in judgment and the need for accountability in the industry. The controversy surrounding the misannouncement of the winner shed light on the emotional toll that such incidents can have on individuals involved in the sport, including the fighters and the announcers. Moving forward, there is a call for increased vigilance and adherence to strict protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
