Solomon Haumono's protest against his knockout loss to Joseph Parker is laughable, according to the unbeaten heavyweight boxer's trainer.
The 24-year-old New Zealander Parker felled the former NRL star in four rounds in Christchurch, knocking him down with a crisp uppercut after dominating the preceding rounds.
However the result was disputed by Haumono's trainer Justin Fortune, who alleged Kiwi referee Bruce McTavish had blundered his 10-second count by counting too fast.
Trainer Kevin Barry said McTavish had done the 40-year-old a favour by declaring a knockout when he did.
"I thought we saved him an embarrassing knockout loss and possibly damage to his health," Barry said on Tuesday.
Haumono was already on his last legs, according to Barry, and Parker would have finished him off within seconds if the bout continued.
There were 90 seconds left in the fourth round when Haumono was knocked out.
"One thing we know about Joseph Parker - when he has a guy hurt, he's a very, very good finisher," Barry said.
"That fight wouldn't have gone 10 more seconds."
McTavish, 76, said on Friday the protest was merely "showbiz" and was upset Fortune would impugn his professionalism.
The Philippines-based referee has controlled 383 pro fights, including some involving Manny Pacquiao, and has been named WBC referee of the year twice.
"Any part of the body except the soles of your feet, and it is a knock down," McTavish told reporters.
Parker refused to be drawn into the controversy, saying on Tuesday that he would leave the matter to boxing officials.
Meanwhile, Parker announced he will fight towering German Alexander Dimitrenko in Auckland in October.
Parker's fight against 2.01m Dimitrenko will be on October 1 at the same Manukau venue where Parker beat Cameroon's Carlos Takam in May to become the IBF mandatory No.1 challenger.
