Boxing fans were left stunned as Dave Allen's fight was waved off in the opening round after rival Thomas Carty fell through the ropes just minutes into their fight on the Katie Taylor card.
Taylor will say farewell to boxing this evening in front of over 80,000 fans packed into Croke Park, Dublin. The Bray Bomber will look to become a three-time undisputed champion when she takes on French fighter Flora Pili.
But just moments before the former Olympic gold medalist brings the curtain down on her career, the card was marred by stunning scenes in the co-main event after Allen's clash with Carty was called off after the Irish scrapper fell through the ropes in horrifying circumstances.
Fight waved off after Carty tumbles out of ring
Carty, 30, ended a year-long hiatus earlier this year to beat German Skobenko on his return from injury. The Dublin native faced a major step up in competition, taking on fan-favourite Allen. And it was the Irishman who came out guns blazing in the opening exchanges, catching his rival with a couple of one-twos.
Allen bit back and fired off a shot which appeared to wobble Carty off balance before he tumbled through the ropes and out of the ring after a brief exchange in the clinch. “What the f***?” a visibly confused Allen could be heard saying.
The 30-year-old Irishman was seen lying on his back ringside, looking up at the sky, sparking major concerns across the ring. After a slight scare, Carty sat back up and was quick to receive oxygen. Boos echoed around the iconic venue as replays appeared to show that a shot to the back of the head caused Carty to fall through the ring.
No-contest announced as fans react
Much to the relief of fans in the arena, Carty was escorted away from the ring and appeared fine despite being disappointed by what had just transpired. A rather bemused and confused Allen was still unaware of what was going on, but eventually, MC David Diamante announced that the bout was deemed a no-contest - as fans expressed their frustration.
Elsewhere on the card, Paddy Donovan picked up his second win in a row following his two epic wars with Lewis Crocker with a dominant knockout victory over Tyrone McKenna. Also, Taylor Bevan upset the locals after brutally dismantling hometown favourite Emmet Brennan in brutal fashion. In the prelims, Molly McCann extended her boxing record to 5-0 with a career-best performance against Sylwia Doligala.
