Not true. Cortez was in complete control, or as much as a referee can be. He told them, "Let's go!" at least twice. He turned his head to tell the timekeeper "Time In." and saw the second, knockout punch. The only person who made a mistake in that fight was Victor Ortiz, no one else.
^ This....... And if you watch the replay you can see the ring side judge start the count, Cortez picked up the count at about 5 or 6. Everybody was paying attention, but Ortiz......