A massive ringside brawl broke out at the AO Arena during the undercard of Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson, with security rushing to intervene early in Jack Rafferty's clash against Hovhannes Martirosyan.
Having first faced off in September 2024 for the vacant WBO Interim Light-Heavyweight World Championship, Buatsi and Hutchinson meet again on Saturday evening in a hotly anticipated rematch. Buatsi was the victor by split decision in the first bout, and Hutchinson had campaigned for some time to secure the rematch. The vacant WBC Light-Heavyweight World Championship is the prize.
Fans Clash in the Stands
However, whilst sparks flew in the ring, as the undercard got underway in Manchester, they flew in the stands. Rowdy spectators threw punches at each other. In a video circulating online, a handful of fans could be seen swinging at others as security personnel jumped between them. Other onlookers were briefly sprawled on the concrete.
Eventually, the situation appeared to calm as dozens of staff rushed in to stop the fighting. The area of the arena was left in a sorry state, however, with drinks evidently spilt and chairs strewn across the floor.
Fight Unaffected
Rafferty's fight was unaffected, and he went on to win via unanimous decision against Martirosyan. Martirosyan was ruled to have been knocked down in the 12th round after he went through the ropes.
Rafferty said after the bout: "These fans got me through tonight. He was fit and strong and healthy. I watched all of his fights and he is tough. I appreciate him and everyone who steps into the ring."
Undercard Results
The undercard had gone off without a hitch before the scrap in the stands. Gully Powar bested Zak Miller, and Brad Rea stopped Ezra Taylor. Miller's fight was particularly violent. It was stopped in the 10th due to extreme swelling of Miller's face. DAZN presenters Ade Oladipo and Carl Frampton were left horrified by the injury.
Frampton said: "That is the worst I've ever seen. That was shocking; you have to feel for the kid. He was in a lot of pain." Oladipo added: "I've seen some hematomas in the sport, but that is one of the worst I've ever seen."
Because the fight-ending injury came from an accidental clash, the thrilling 50/50 fight went to the scorecards. Miller suffered a double blow, losing by unanimous decision (96-95, 97-95, 96-94) as Powar claimed the British featherweight title.
