Shocking moment boxing referee is punched in the face during Keyshawn Davis-Miguel Madueno fight

This is the scary moment a boxing referee took a brutal punch to the face while trying to split up a fight between Keyshawn Davis and Miguel Madueno on Saturday night.

The lightweight bout took place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey and saw Davis and Madueno face off in a bad-natured affair that threatened to spill over between rounds.

The shocking incident occurred at the end of the sixth round, when the bell rung and both fighters opted to continue jawing at each other rather than heading back to their corners.

Madueno was the main instigator initially, with the referee forced to hold him back to stop him getting at his opponent.

As the two got closer together, they managed to square up to one another, before Davis then swung a punch, gently catching Madueno on the head.

In response, the Mexican fighter tried to swing back, but inadvertently struck the referee instead, sending him reeling back.

The official managed to stay on his feet but was visibly rocked by the blow, which was followed by both fighters going back to their corners with their trainers.

Immediately the referee then went to Madueno's corner and was heard on camera saying 'who the f*** just hit me?', while the commentators speculated over whether the fighter would be disqualified.

In the end, Madueno got away with the accidental punch of the ref, but went on to lose the fight in a unanimous decision at the end of the 10 rounds.

The result ensured that Davis kept his unbeaten record (11-0), while Madueno moves to 31-3, having lost three of his last seven fights.