Christian Christensen vs. John McCormack

Chris Christensen 151 lbs beat John McCormack 160 lbs by DQ in round 4 of 15

• Date: 1962-02-08
• Location: K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Referee: Rudolf Drust

Confusion was total in Copenhagen when the Scot John McCormack, European middleweight champion was disqualified in the 4th round against Danish contender Christian Christensen.

McCormack was probably ahead on points when he decked the Dane with a short right to the jaw in the 4th.

Going through different sources, this seems to be what happened: 1) Referee Rudolf Durst started a count. 2) Christensen got up at 3. 3) The referee contiuned the count, creating confusion since the 8 count didn't apply to title fights. 4) Christensen looked unable to defend himself, but to some it looked as if the referee didn't see Christensen's condition since he was looking across the ring at the timekeeper. 5) As the count reached around 5, McCormack rushed to the Dane and knocked him through the ropes with a left hook. 6) Some heard the referee still counting while this happened. 7) Christensen was dragged to his corner while McCormack danced with joy.

All hell broke lose, programs, bottles and even money rained in the ring. One spectator managed to enter the ring and took a swing at McCormack who was protected by his cornermen and manager Al Phillips. When the disqualification of McCormack was announced the crowd calmed down, McCormack entered the ring again and hung the laurel wreath around the dazed Christensens neck.

To this day there are two schools of placing the guilt in this fight: 1) The referee is to blame, he should have stopped the fight or ordered a " box on ". 2) McCormack should under no circumstances have attacked the Dane as long as a " box on " never was announced.

Sources: Berlingske Tidende, Politiken and Boxing News February 16 1962