Andre Dirrell title fight ends with uncle punching opponent and fleeing ring

Guardian sport
Updated

  • Leon Lawson Jr punches Jose Uzcategui after Venezuelan lands late blows

  • ‘My coach is my family, my uncle, and he was worried’

Andre Dirrell was fighting for the IBF interim super middleweight title
Andre Dirrell was fighting for the IBF interim super middleweight title. Photograph: John Gichigi/Getty Images

Fans thought the end of Andre Dirrell’s IBF interim super middleweight title fight with Jose Uzcategui was odd but that was just the start of a bizarre series of events.

Dirrell was awarded the fight after Uzcategui sent his opponent to the canvas with a flurry of blows after the bell. The victory wasn’t enough for Dirrell’s uncle and assistant trainer, Leon Lawson Jr, who then sucker punched Uzcategui in the aftermath of the contest. The confrontation also sparked fights among fans.

The pair were separated but, according to Showtime who broadcast the fight, local police in Maryland are now seeking Lawson over the incident. “I’m sorry for what my coach has done,” Dirrell said. “My coach is my family, my uncle, and he was worried. He cares for me. He loves me. Please forgive him.”

Dirrell’s co-headliner Gary Russell Jr also apologized for the night’s events. “I want to apologize for the gladiators,” Russell said after he beat Oscar Escandon to successfully defend his WBC featherweight title. “The Dirrell camp, sometimes emotions build up and take the best of us. Please forgive them.”