REFEREE Ian John-Lewis has defended his decision to award Frenchman Tuncay Kaya victory over Chatham’s Johnny Armour.

The Gillingham official’s 59-56 verdict at Dagenham’s Goresbrook Leisure Centre on the six-round super bantamweight contest ended Armour’s comeback challenge.

He said: "I hope Johnny isn’t too disappointed but I’ve got to score it how I see it, otherwise my integrity would be gone.

"I just think the guy was too lively for him. The Frenchman was only 28 and he came over here to win. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as he’s beaten Johnny up.

"He came over to get Johnny Armour’s name on his record and he took the fight to him.

"John fought his heart out, he’s a battler. It was a very tough assignment after two years outside the ring."

After watching the replay on Sky Sports, John-Lewis was astonished to see the commentators awarding the fight to Armour.

He said: “When I watched it on Sky, Jim Watt had put Armour one round ahead and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

"I’ve got to do it how I see it. It wasn’t a close fight and I’d sit down with anyone and watch every round and I’m very confident.

"It was sad. The guy got beat up and it’s such a shame."

John-Lewis remains confident Armour can return to the ring but felt that Kaya was far too tough an opponent after a two-year absence.

"The opposition was wrong but in the second round he got a flash knock-down and I thought at last the rust has gone and he’ll raise the level, but he didn’t.

"I wouldn’t say Johnny is finished, the opposition wasn’t a good choice as he was a bit too lively.

"He just needed someone to fight to get the rust off him. He looked in fantastic shape but he needs rounds behind him."

Armour is still hopeful of a return in September or October and has decided to leave his trainer Terry Colter.

"I need to get another trainer," said the former WBU bantamweight champion.

"I’ve got to do everything right this time because it’s make or break and if I lose then that’s the end of my boxing career."