One undercard fight ahead of Nikita Tszyu’s bout with Ben Horn was packed with drama — so much so that a trainer wedged himself in the skirmish and almost had his head taken off.
After Irishman Darragh Foley and Samoan Hunter Ioane made no secret of their hate for each other at a pre-fight press conference, the spite of the catchweight boxers transferred to the ring when they squared off at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night.
The tempers of both men boiled over several times throughout the fight, but it was after the clash that the intensity reached its climax.
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The fight was ended by a doctor’s call during the fifth round because blood streaming from the face of Ioane had become too much of a concern.
But Ioane had unfinished business.
He shoved Foley in the chest as he mouthed off, leading to a member of Foley’s team stepping in and pulling Hunter away.
Hunter even attempted to punch the trainer.
“Let’s hope that calm heads prevail,” said Fox Sports commentator Ben Damon.
But that was not the case.
When Ioane again fired up at Foley moments before the reveal of the judges’ scorecards, he was barred from standing in the centre of the ring for the announcement.
Foley was awarded victory via unanimous decision and the bitter rivals did not touch gloves, Ioane storming away.
“It was unfortunate,” said Australian boxing great Barry Michael.
“Hunter Ioane really got a bit carried away, but Darragh Foley was in control the whole way through.
“It had a bit of everything. It was a bit of world championship wrestling, as well.
“Hunter’s got to sit down and reassess his whole career because he needs to get disciplined. He’s too wild and he certainly got carried away here.”
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