Boxing: Kiwi-American ring announcer Dan Hennessey retires after social media abuse over result mix-up

The Kiwi-American ring announcer who called out the wrong winner after a women's WBA title fight in Australia last weekend is quitting the role, after receiving a torrent of abuse on social media.

'Lieutenant' Dan Hennessey mistakenly announced England's Nina Hughes as the winner of her WBA bantamweight bout against Cherneka Johnson on the undercard of Vasiliy Lomachenko's fight against George Kambosos Jr at Perth.

In scenes of confusion that went viral on social media, Hennessey then called the fighters back to the centre of the ring, and correctly awarded the fight and belt to Australian Johnson.

Dan Hennessey in action at the Parker-Fa fight.
Dan Hennessey in action at the Parker-Fa fight. Photo credit: Photosport

Hennessey initially apologised on his Facebook page, saying he was "crushed" by the error, before adding another post announcing he would act as master of ceremonies one last time, before hanging up his bow tie for good.

"Thank you all for the kind words," he wrote. "Unfortunately, the worldwide backlash is absolutely incredible and it's affecting my mental health to a degree where I will have one more show ever.

"I am doing this show because I am still a man of my word... I love and will keep in touch with all my friends from around the world. Thank you.

"No longer the world's punching bag. I'm out."

Social media wasn't the only sources of outrage, with commentator Joe Tessitore barely holding back.

"Is this guy for real?" he said. "Is this guy, Lt Dan Hennessey, for real?

"Can somebody please get Mark Shunock, Jimmy Lennon, Michael Buffer, anybody but Lt Dan Hennessey in this sport right now."

Ironically, even Buffer - who has made "let's get ready to rumble" his own catchcry - has made similar mistakes.

Hennessey found support from revered promoter Lou DiBella.

"Dan Hennessey had an awful night," he tweeted. "It happened on a the world stage.

"While you may not like his delivery, he has been competent, well-liked and respected as a boxing ring announcer for years, and has worked countless big cards on the Australian continent.

"He's also a nice man."

A former US Marine Corps officer and nightclub DJ, Hennessey relocated to New Zealand a couple of decades ago and has been on the microphone for many of the biggest fights in Australasia over the last 18 years.

Reuters/Newshub