Horror moment referee gets punched in face as officials forced to storm boxing ring to break up chaotic fight
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A REFEREE was on the receiving end of some brutal punches during a boxing match in Japan. The incident took place during Rikiya Anpo's RIZIN 49 clash with Sina Karimian, who was a replacement for boxing superstar Ryan Garcia. Anpo - who recently threw down with Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao - was too slick and elusive for his replacement opponent.
![[The referee tried to hault Rikiya Anpo's RIZIN 49 clash with Sina Karimian due to illegal blows]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-31-at-14.12.58.png?strip=all&w=726)
Frustration started to get the better of Karimian, so much so that he started to break the rules of the contest. The Iranian threw several spinning back fists in the sixth round and received a stern warning from the referee. An irate Anpo eventually responded with one of his own, sparking pandemonium as the ref tried to separate the pair.
![[The poor official ended up taking several punches to his face for his efforts]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000960761440.jpg?strip=all&w=793)
Both men threw punches as the official tried his best to keep the duo apart. And Karimian ended up landing several hard blows on the poor ref, who took them like a champ. Ringside officials eventually entered to help restore order and the fight was eventually restarted.
![[He took even more blows to the head the second time around]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-31-at-14.14.39.png?strip=all&w=724)
Footage of the incident went viral, with one fight fan saying on X: "Dear lord.". BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. Another said: "[The] ref does have some chin.". And another said: "What a POS and that ref has a chin on him.". One remarked: "This was one of the wildest things I've seen in combat sports.
![[Order was eventually restored the referee and other ringside officials]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-31-at-14.13.19.png?strip=all&w=809)
