Stephen Smith ‘healing’ after the British boxer’s ear was almost ripped off against Francisco VargasGary Stonehouse
The UK Sun
12/10/2017
STEPHEN SMITH thanked fans for their support after he almost had his ear gruesomely ripped off in a bloody loss to Francisco Vargas in Las Vegas on Sunday morning.
The British boxer was attempting to get himself back into the world title shot picture in Sin City.
www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/smith-ear7.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=483 (photo)
But after suffering the sickening cut to his left ear from an accidental clash of heads the fight was stopped by the ringside doctor after the ninth round.
That left the result up to the judges, who scored 89-82, 88-83, 88-83 in favour of Vargas.
However, it was not the result that everyone was talking about following the 32-year-old Liverpudlian’s defeat.
The sickening images swept around the world, but Smith posted a positive update later on Sunday afternoon.
He wrote: “Thanks very much for all your supportive messages last night, read them all and they mean a lot.
“Went to hospital and got my ear stitched back up so hopefully all will heal well. Thanks again for all the love and support. Have a good Christmas everyone.”
The horrific images of the gash evoked memories of when former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson bit a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear off during their title fight back in 1997 rematch for the belt.
Ex-unified super-middleweight and light-heavyweight world champ Andre Ward was one of those stunned by what he had witnessed.
quits on his stool
He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that in a boxing match…in an ear that was not bitten.”
The hospital trip to repair his ear compounded a miserable night for Smith Stateside.
He has now lost three of his last five fights, with two of those world title attempts.
Some good news did emerge later at least as he received the green light from medics to fly back to England on Monday as planned.
Smith claimed prior to the Vargas clash that he would call time on his career if he continued to fall short at the top level.
The fighter from a family of four boxing brothers said: “This is boxing and I know having had two chances, I might only get one more shot.
“For me it is not about going back to British level, I want to win a world title and defeat can ruin that.”
Meanwhile, the victory marked a successful return to action for Vargas, aged 32.
It was the Mexican’s first in-ring appearance since Miguel Berchelt inflicted a maiden career defeat on him to take his world title back in January.