Miller Fought On Until Round 10 Despite Injury

The British featherweight title fight held at the AO Arena in Manchester, England, on the night of 7 November lasted until round 10, despite large swellings on Zak Miller's head. Organised by Queensberry Promotions and broadcast on DAZN, the bout was on the undercard of the fight between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson.

Miller, 29, who had been away from the ring for a long time due to a biceps injury, answered the pressure from 24-year-old Gully Powar with counter punches. In the seventh round, an accidental head clash between the two boxers left a large swelling above Miller's left eyebrow, and the area above his right eye was cut open. A second hematoma appeared on the other side of his forehead in the ninth round.

After the doctor's examination, the bout was allowed to continue, and Miller insisted that the fight not be stopped. However, in round 10, the doctor checked the boxer a second time and advised referee Mark Lyson to end the contest, and the fight was stopped.

Because the injuries were caused by an accidental head clash rather than punches, the result was decided on the scorecards. Powar won the British featherweight title by technical unanimous decision, with scores of 96-95, 97-95 and 96-94.

On the broadcast, presenter Ade Oladipo described Miller's injury as one of the worst hematomas he had seen in boxing. Former world champion Carl Frampton also said Miller was in great pain.

On social media, reactions grew that the fight should have been stopped earlier. Some users argued that the doctor should have ended the bout at the first examination, while others criticised Miller's corner and the doctor for not intervening sooner.