A large brawl in the audience caused the referee to stop the final round for about five minutes – just when Islander Michael Blood seemed to have reigning champion Thomas McCormack well and truly on the ropes.
Blood was heading for glory against a man unbeaten in Britain in scores of contests. But it seemed that the delay in the fifth round gave his opponent the opportunity to compose himself and find enough strength to secure a points victory, holding off a spirited onslaught from the local fighter.
Sections of the 900-strong crowd at Fort Regent had been involved in skirmishes during the top-of-the-bill Muay Thai bout. The referee decided that he wanted the end of the contest delayed until order had been restored.
Doormen called the police as a result of disturbances. A 19-year-old man was the only person arrested.
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