The bigger gloves naturally slow punches down and lessen the impact of their blows, making a knockout more difficult. But Bellew claimed Paul did not stick to the regulations, tweeting: “The gloves Mike has on are looking heavily padded while Jake has on grants which are full on punchers gloves. “There is a huge difference in them gloves and I’m only watching from a bed.”

Despite Bellew’s opinion, there is no suggestion that Paul was in fact using banned gloves. The 27-year-old wore his veteran opponent out quickly but did not go for a knockout blow.

Paul said: “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.”

But due to the stand-off approach, fans slammed the contest as the “worst fight ever”.

And Bellew also took aim, saying: “We are all to blame for this man! We are all talking and watching! We have to stop this fool! Don’t tune into him until he fights someone who is fit healthy and not a grandfather!

“Any proper boxing people helping Paul need to look at themselves! This is just sad.”

But he did also praise him, saying: “I don’t like this stupid idiot kid but I will say this… he stopped beating on Mike there and showed him some respect and dignity by letting him survive.

“He didn’t go for the KO there, he stepped off him and let him be.”

Bellew caused controversy at the pre-fight press conference by gatecrashing the event with an old man and using him to mock Paul’s opponent selection.

The move was part of a Paddy Power publicity stunt.

But the Liverpudlian was unhappy at how he was removed by security, saying: “You don’t know who I am. Don’t put your hands on me.”