Lost It: Andre Dirrell's Title Fight Ends With His Uncle Punching Opponent And Fleeing The Ring!

Boxing has long been called the theater of the bizarre and Saturday's interim super middleweight title bout between Andre Dirrell (26-2, 16 KOs) and Jose Uzcategui (26-2, 22 KOs) did nothing to contradict.

After being warned for hitting after the bell earlier in the fight, Uzcategui committed the same crime again to close Round 8 and floored Dirrell with a three-punch combination. Uzcategui was disqualified by referee Bill Clancy after the ringside doctor ruled Dirrell couldn't continue.

"The bell rang to stop the round. The round was over and Andre was knocked out with an illegal punch," Clancy said. "So therefore, Andre will win the fight by disqualification. Clearly the punch knocked him unconscious. He was unconscious. We were not going to the scorecards."

That's when things got crazy. Members of Dirrell's family, including his younger brother, Anthony Dirrell, a former 168-pound titlist, were detained by security at ringside while attempting to attack members of Uzcategui's team. A brawl appeared on the verge of breaking out until cooler heads prevailed.

But moments later, members of Dirrell's team were allowed into the ring and his uncle, cornerman Leon Lawson Jr., approached Uzcategui in the corner and assaulted him with a vicious left hook to the chin. A brief melee ensued as the crowd booed and Uzcategui was escorted back to the locker room for his own safety.

Showtime's Jim Gray reported that Maryland police were searching for Lawson after the fight with plans on arresting him. Police were also investigating surveillance tape around Anthony Dirrell's actions. Uzcategui, meanwhile, was sequestered backstage and kept in seclusion by authorities.
Posted By Joe