Referee Struck Again: Chaos Erupts in Wild Boxing Match

Ref cops double blow as brawl erupts | 00:30

Chaotic scenes in Japan’s traditional New Year’s Eve combat spectacular saw a bizarre fight turn into an all-in brawl after a referee was punched – twice.

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The RIZIN promotion, known for its freak show fights on the major Japanese holiday, had booked star boxer Ryan Garcia against kickboxer Rikiya Anpo for its show RIZIN 49: Decade before the former withdrew through injury.

But Garcia’s replacement was a fellow kickboxer 36 kilograms heavier, K-1 champion Sina Karimian, and it wasn’t just the size difference that made the fight bizarre.

Anpo – who arguably beat Manny Pacquiao in an exhibition fight last July – looked the much stronger in the unique boxing bout and was well on track to beat the Iranian.

But in the sixth round Karimian started acting wildly, throwing illegal spinning backfists which copped a warning, with Anpo throwing one in return.

The chaos continued and when the referee tried to break up the pair in a clinch he was first punched by Anpo (perhaps accidentally), before Karimian threw one directly into the referee’s face.

The ref continued to take damage as he tried to stop the brawl.

Security rushed into the ring to separate the pair and remarkably the fight was restarted with no point deductions or disqualifications.

Anpo went on to win on the cards, receiving 60-54 from all three judges – who were seemingly the only people at ringside not involved in the tussle.