RON Kearney, who officiated David Adeleye's sixth-round stoppage win over Jeamie Tshikeva on April 5, has been called before the British Boxing Board of Control in June to explain his actions.

The nine-year referee, whose assignments at domestic level have steadily increased over the past two years, took charge of his second British title bout in Manchester when a controversial ending to an untidy heavyweight matchup prompted calls for an immediate rematch.

Adeleye's first knockdown, connecting on a left hook, appeared to land illegally after Kearney had not only called 'break' twice but also moved Tshikeva's left hand during an exchange in the clinch. Tshikeva managed to beat Kearney’s count but was stopped moments later as Adeleye unloaded more powerful flurries, flooring him again.

The result stands as an Adeleye TKO win, though the BBBofC have since ordered a repeat encounter with Adeleye's head coach Adam Booth content for it to take place at the back end of this summer after Tshikeva serves a 30-day medical suspension.

BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith told talkSPORT: "The immediate rematch had to be called and that's what the Board did as soon as they could. We have called the referee to appear before them in June to explain how he dealt with it, would be unfair to talk any further with regard to what he's going to say but it was unfortunate and we've got a rematch."

Adeleye likened the finish to the one he suffered against world-level contender Fabio Wardley during his previous British title attempt 18 months earlier in Riyadh, before hinting they'd meet again - doubling down on a desire to erase any doubt the following day when speaking to reporters.

Tshikeva, in turn, called on the BBBofC to "do the right thing," and as such, will get a chance at immediate retribution during a fight many felt he was leading.

Smith responded when questioned about the differences between their decision-making in this instance compared with Hamzah Sheeraz's contentious ninth-round stoppage win over Bradley Skeete in December 2021, hitting him while on the canvas before a finish came during the subsequent round.

Smith, the assigned supervisor that night, defended referee Steve Gray's actions while Kearney left plenty up to interpretation and Tshikeva's team felt an injustice had been done.

"The difference is, Steve Gray acted within the rules - we've discussed this many times - he had discretion to do what he did, didn't break the rules, gave him [Skeete] time to recover, the boxer said he was okay to box, we can argue about what should've happened but it's done and finished.

"With regard to this case, we weren't very happy with a number of issues. It was a scrappy fight and difficult to referee, however we need to talk to him about actions he took towards the end of the bout."

Ian John-Lewis was memorably called to explain why he scored 114-111 for Josh Taylor during his split decision win over Jack Catterall three years ago, and the Board ultimately downgraded him to an A Class official the following month. After resigning and an 18-month hiatus, he has only officiated crossover (Misfits) and bare-knuckle boxing bouts since.

When asked about potentially getting a physically bigger official to lay down the law between two heavyweights, Smith cited IBHOF official Mills Lane - a welterweight during his professional days - and veteran A-Star class referee Victor Loughlin as examples to the contrary.

"Mills Lane didn't do too bad, Loughlin did a good job for Fury-Chisora, this referee is relatively new as a star-class, the fight was originally for the English title so you wouldn't think much of it. We've had a written report but the opportunity for him to come before the board, when they decide what action - if any - to take is June."

Smith said Kearney, who resides in Sunderland, is unavailable to appear before May's meeting otherwise they would have completed the process sooner. As far as accountability and consequences are concerned, everything remains up in the air.

"There's nothing out for him in May, but he might do a small show where he's from. I'm a big believer, you fall off a horse then get back on and get on with it.

He won't be appointed to many major fights because they've already been done, there's a difference between a four-round fight in a leisure centre and a ... he comes from an area where there's not many shows, but don't stop him from working, the more you do, the better you get, it's the level [you operate at]."