BOXER Glenn Byrne was rushed to hospital after being knocked out by William Crolla in a super-welterweight bout on Friday.
The 29-year-old was carried out of the ring on a stretcher following the incident.
Crolla had been dropped to the canvas four times before coming back to win the fight in Altrincham.
He landed a huge punch to the side of his opponent’s head.
But in doing so he appeared to seriously hurt Byrne, who required oxygen when being treated by paramedics.
The Irishman was rushed to hospital after being carried out of the arena.
A statement from JB Boxing Promotions confirmed that Byrne had suffered a “heavy” concussion but was OK.
After the fight, Crolla said: “My thoughts and condolences to Glenn Byrne.
“I hope he’s OK. I’m sorry I celebrated after it. I didn’t realise how badly he was hurt.
“I think we should all give Glenn Byrne a round of applause. He was a warrior in there tonight.”
Crolla was knocked down three times in the second round before being saved by the bell.
He was then dropped for a fourth time inside the opening minute of the fifth, but got back to his feet.
The 27-year-old battled back and eventually knocked Byrne out in the seventh round.
In a shock statement released on Instagram after the bout, JJB Promotions claimed the fight should have been stopped earlier due to the four knockdowns.
It read: “Glenn is on route to hospital, heavy concussion but he will be okay…
“That referee is the reason there are deaths in boxing. William should have been stopped after the three knockdowns and both would have went home safe.
“This is not about winning or losing, this is about safety in our sport.”
Byrne had been unbeaten in his eight fights before the bout on Friday, winning seven and drawing one.
Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn was in attendance and praised Crolla for his resilience.
He said: “That is why this sport is so incredible. I think William Crolla deserves so much respect.
“We all hope that Glenn Byrne is OK, we believe that he is, but we’ll keep everybody updated. Our thoughts are with him.
“Two unbelievable warriors, I mean, this young man was out and when I say out, I’m talking about his career.
“What you saw in there, was a desperate man quite honestly fighting for his career and he just had to find a way, he just had to stay with it.
“And you could see the energy going from Byrne because of everything that he’d thrown into the fight to stop this man, who did so well to keep getting up.
“How he found a way back to win that fight, honestly, I know it sounds harsh to say you’re fighting for your career, but on this stage, on this platform, a second defeat at that level would have almost been career-ending on this platform.
“That was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Like I said, it’s difficult to celebrate until we know Glenn Byrne’s OK, but massive respect to both. Just incredible to watch.”
Crolla – who now has a record of 10-1 following his eighth knockout win – is the younger brother of former WBA lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla.
