Boxing is a tough sport for tough competitors, but even the toughest of ‘tough guys’ would wince at the horrific injury that forced the stoppage of a fight in Las Vegas between British fighter Stephen Smith and his Mexican opponent Francisco Vargas at the weekend.
In the middle of the ninth round, with Vargas ahead on all scorecards, the two fighters’ heads came together in what seemed like an innocuous clash. But it caused a laceration that split Smith’s ear, leaving it hanging off, with blood spurting from the wound.
After consultation with Smith’s trainer, referee Russell Mora called a halt to the bout, with a technical decision in favor of Vargas, the former WBC super featherweight champion.
Liverpool boxer Smith, 32, was facing Vargas in the non-title bout at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in boxing mecca Las Vegas. He later tweeted that he had been to hospital, where he received stitches before boarding a plane home to the UK.
“Thanks very much for all your supportive messages last night, read them all and they mean a lot. Went to hospital and got my ear stitched back up so hopefully all will heal well. Thanks again for all the love and support. Have a good Christmas everyone,” he wrote.
At the time of the stoppage, Vargas was ahead on all scorecards: 89-82, 88-83 and 88-83, after eight completed rounds.
Boxing matches and ear injuries were famously linked due to a notorious incident in Mike Tyson's 1997 rematch with Evander Holyfield for the WBA heavyweight title.
That match ended when Tyson was disqualified in the 3rd round for biting chunks from both of Holyfield's ears.