A recent bare-knuckle brawl in the UK has shocked spectators with its similarities to the infamous 1997 Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield incident. In the Tyson-Holyfield bout, Tyson, frustrated by his impending loss, bit off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear. Similarly, the recent UK bare-knuckle fight featured a fighter resorting to ear-biting.
According to the Daily Star, one bare-knuckle fighter decided to keep his ripped ear as a bizarre souvenir following a bloody encounter in a “no rules” brawl. These underground fights have gained popularity in the UK, with hundreds of participants, including Alex Etherington, a 32-year-old who now proudly displays his ripped-off ear in a jar. The underground fighting scene in the UK has attracted some tough and eccentric individuals.
Etherington, from County Durham, emerged as the victor in the fight but suffered the loss of his ear. He has since shared his experiences in the world of underground fighting rings. In the documentary UNTOLD: The Secret World of Fight Clubs, Etherington recounts the harrowing incident and sheds light on the dangers and prevalence of these unregulated, no-holds-barred matches.
Reflecting on his participation in the underground fighting scene, Etherington said, “I felt lucky to get on King Of The Streets. It’s quite sought-after. I only got on it because my friend vouched for me. It got half a million views on YouTube, and I got around 7,000 followers on Instagram overnight. That was heavy for me.”
The incident has gained attention and become a trending topic.
