Boxing ref cops flying punch

Someone spare a thought for this poor referee.

During a recent super middleweight unification bout at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York, boxing official Arthur Mecante found out just how hard his job can be.

Mercante was officiating an entertaining bout between Badou Jack and James DeGale when he copped some friendly fire.

Jack and and Degale had already knocked each other out once each by the fifth round but Mercante showed he could take a punch too after an errant shot from Jack connected.

He stumbled towards the ropes slightly but was held up by the fighter.

The referee shook off the punch and finished his duties inside the ropes and received praise for the courage he displayed.