Andre Dirrell’s uncle sucker-punches Jose Uzcategui (video)

The boxer’s uncle got in a couple of cheap shots after Dirrell’s bout with Uzcategui.

The spotlight didn’t rest on American boxer Andre Dirrell for very long after his IBF super-middleweight title victory over Jose Uzcategui. His uncle (and trainer) Leon Lawson Jr. stole the headlines from the night by viciously swinging at his nephew’s opponent in the ring after the match.

Dirrell had just won the title after Uzcategui was disqualified for punching after the bell in the eighth round, and tensions were high. The Venezuelan dropped Dirrell to the ground with a three-punch combo that finished after the bell, ending the title fight. Dirrell was announced as the winner despite remaining down in the corner.

Confusion spread around the MGM National Harbor arena in Maryland, as a scuffle broke out on the floor near Dirrell’s corner. Lawson Jr. entered the ring and caught Uzcategui by surprise with a couple of unexpected bare-knuckle punches. He looked like he was going for a third before a member of Uzcategui’s team pulled him off and police stepped in to restore order.

According to USA Today, Uzcategui is planning to press charges against Dirrell’s uncle for first- and second-degree assault.

Before the pandemonium broke out, Uzcategui had a slight advantage in the fight. In the eighth round, he was leading on two out of three judges’ scorecards and tied with Dirrell on the third. Match referee Bill Clancy had apparently already warned Uzcategui for late punches, though, leaving him no choice but to give the title to Dirrell by disqualification.

Next: Best Boxer From Each State In America

Dirrell, a 33-year-old southpaw from Flint, Michigan, now claims the vacant interim super-middleweight title, which he unsuccessfully tried to win in 2015 against James DeGale. This is the second title of his career, and his first IBF belt. Dirrell’s professional record now improves to 26-2.