Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken about the “anger” he witnessed after fights started in the crowd of the Crocker-Donovan bout at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Saturday night.
In the hours since the fight, footage has been shared widely of fights breaking out between spectators of the IBF welterweight final eliminator between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan.
One of the videos shows people in the stands arguing and then brawling with a group of people in a box.
The confrontation becomes physical, with blows exchanged and items thrown from the box. Some in the crowd are seen observing and filming the fight.
Another video showed people who were fighting in the corridors of the arena being broken up by staff.
Eddie Hearn
Mr Hearn had been promoting the fight and speculated that whoever won it would go on to become a breakout star in the welterweight division.
The promoter is a leading figure in the business of boxing, representing Katie Taylor and Anthony Joshua, and was present at the event.
He was dismayed at the scenes.
“I was in the ring watching and [there was] a lot of pushing around and people unhappy,” he said.
“But people got moved along quite quickly. I’m glad it sort of dissolved at a decent speed.
“I think there were a lot of angry people, a lot of confused people, really, because no one really knew the final decision.”
Tensions rose in the crowd after Limerick fighter Donovan was removed from the fight by the referee for throwing a punch after the bell had rung for the end of the eighth round.
Watch: Brawl in crowd at Crocker v Donovan fight at the SSE Arena
Donovan had dropped Crocker earlier in the round, but was removed from the fight for the infringement.
Both fighters had been warned in an earlier round by the referee about hits going in after the bell.
Donovan was widely perceived to have been up on the scoreboard and in a strong position to take the fight, despite having been deducted points for use of the elbow and head in rounds six and eight.
People present at the fight described how scuffles broke out in multiple areas of the arena in the aftermath of the disqualification, with the announcement of the winner having to be delayed while order was restored.
Mr Hearn added: “And actually, when the emcee said the decision, then they knew. Obviously I knew because I was there.
“So a lot of anger, really, at what happened from both sides and [I’m] just glad that it was dealt with at speed.”
Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan stare each other down as promoter Eddie Hearn looks on
Paddy Donovan, right, is disqualified by referee Marcus McDonnell after punching Lewis Crocker after the bell during their IBF welterweight eliminator bout at SSE Arena in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
The PSNI said: “Police are aware of footage circulating of an altercation involving a number of people during a sporting event in east Belfast on Saturday.
“Enquiries are ongoing and police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident to contact 101.”
A spokesperson for the SSE Arena said: “We are aware of incidents that took place towards the end of [Saturday] evening’s event.
“Our security team, alongside police who were on-site throughout the event, responded swiftly to manage the situation.”