Two days out from Kiwi boxer Mea Motu's first world title defence, trainer Isaac Peach has delivered what could be a knockout blow.
Peach has threatened to pull her out of Saturday's showdown against Ellen Simwaka, if the referee for the bout isn't changed.
He has described Ignatius Missilaidus as a cheat, after the referee's perceived questionable scoring during a fight in Sydney on Wednesday night.
He scored a bout 78-73 against Peach's fighter Kiki Toa Leutele, while the two other judges saw the fight the other way.
"That was disgusting last night and Peach Boxing will not get in a ring with a referee like that," Peach said.
"If a person's a cheat, he's a cheat."
The situation has left organisers scrambling to ensure Motu makes it to the ring to square off with Malawi's Simwaka.
"We'll obviously be calling a meeting of all officials [Friday] morning before we go to the weigh-in to try and sort this out," said promoter Dean Lonergan.
"Not walking out - that's the first I've heard of it, and it's a bit of a shock."
Motu fully supports her coach's stance.
"We stay true to who we are, and we hate cheating," said Motu. "That's the No. 1 thing I like about my coach, he'll make a stand.
"I'll stand by him."
Kiwi boxing great David Tua was on hand to witness the drama and offered some advice on dealing with dubious judges - score a knockout.
"You don't leave your outcome to the judges or to the ref," Tua warned. "You take care of business and you get them out of there."
Motu's opponent Simwaka doesn't plan on being the one hitting the canvas.
"I'm gonna snatch that belt from you Mea Motu," she said. "Good luck."
But before they get in the ring, there's still the very pressing matter of the referee to sort.
"There aren't that many world class referees who can step in at short notice," Lonergan noted.
Assuming the dispute is resolved, the fight will take place at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium, with IBF world heavyweight champion Lani Daniels defending her crown against unbeaten South African Razel Mohammed in the co-main event.
