Hatton successfully defended his title but the one-sided fight ended in a farce when Smith was disqualified after his father entered the ring and pushed referee Mickey Vann.

Darkie Smith, who is also his son's trainer, intervened after the Londoner had been floored for the second time, 28 seconds into the second round.

Smith said: "To be honest, looking at it logically I don't think there will be another opportunity put my way after what went on.

"It was made a circus in there and I don't think people want to tune in to watch Stephen Smith fight.

"This was my big opportunity to prove myself and it was taken away from me.

"I couldn't do what I wanted to do and people can't see what talent I have.

"Even if I didn't come out a winner, if I'd have performed as well as I could have (I'd have been happy)."

Smith senior confronted referee Vann, complaining his son had been elbowed and headbutted, and then shoved the official, who immediately waved the contest off .

The fighter said: "I've no idea why he (his father) did what he did.

"I spoke to him afterwards and his reasons for doing it are his own. I don't condone what he did, I think it was wrong and I blame him for the outcome and the scandal.

"But I understand why he did it."

Promoter Frank Warren responded by withholding Smith's estimated �70,000 purse.

But the British Boxing Board of Control undermined Warren's announcement, intimating that because the boxer was an innocent party in the incident, only Smith senior's portion of the purse would not be paid.

"The purse of boxer Stephen Smith has been withheld in accordance with the regulations," said the board's general secretary Simon Block.

"However, as it appears that the boxer himself was blameless in this matter, it is likely that the stewards will wish to make a very quick decision with regard to its return.

"Undoubtedly Darkie Smith will be called to appear before the stewards under the board's disciplinary regulations.

"Although referee Mickey Vann will be asked to appear as a witness, we have had no criticism of his conduct or performance in the ring."

But the experienced trainer has already stated his intention to quit the sport in response to Vann's control of his son's fight.

"Boxing used to be a clean decent sport," Smith said afterwards.

"I saw my fighter nutted twice.

"If they want to ban me from boxing they can. I'm finished with it.

"I can't stand the Mickey Vann's of this world."