Dennis McCann’s super bantamweight contest against Ionut Pallotta ended in a majority draw after an accidental clash of heads in the ninth round.
In a remarkable all-event contest at London’s York Hall, McCann, 22, was slashed on the forehead for the second time in the fight as the referee stopped the bout and went to the scorecards.
One judge scored it 86-85 for McCann while the other two judged it 86-86.
“It was a good fight. I thought I won a round,” said Britton McCann.
Both fighters called a rematch, with McCann – who had won all 14 of his previous professional fights – adding: “It wasn’t the best night in the office. It’s a draw. I’m very disappointed but it is what it is.”
Roman Pallotta, 29, now has his record tied at 16 wins and four losses.
McCann knew his opponent well, having contested hundreds of rounds together, and the Maidstone fighter started off strong by working behind the South penalty and landing in the range.
In a back-and-forth third round, Pallotta backed McCann to the ropes with a barrage of left and right hooks before the house fighter fought back and dropped a solid left hook.
Pallotta — picking up a win in his final game against previously undefeated Andrew Cain — tested McCann’s chin with a telegraph hit that landed in the fifth, before a big leadoff and sliced right sent Pallotta a nod in the sixth.
After the first clash of heads opened a cut on McCann’s forehead in the seventh, Pallotta hit the eighth with what appeared to be a powerful counter-punch but the referee ruled it a slip.
Pallotta responded with a thunderous right – and with McCann obstructed by his vision, the Romanian stepped on the gas and was in the lead before the second clash of heads.
Referee Marcus McDonnell protested, insisting he should be declared the winner rather than leave it up to the judges.
After a long delay while the scorecards were being recorded, Pallotta celebrated in the ring while McCann cowered up and down.
The two fighters differed on the method of striking in the post-fight interview.
“I will have a rematch and next time I will win by knockout,” Pallotta said.