Boxing match stopped as tear gas leaves fighters gasping for air in wild scenes

A boxing match in Nigeria was halted after tear gas in the arena left the fighters coughing and covering their eyes during their fight.

During the aptly-named ‘Chaos in the Ring’ event in Lagos, local fighters Basit Adebayo and Loren Japhet were halfway through their eight-round super lightweight bout when there was an unexpected interruption.

The referee called for a time-out with he and both fighters coughing as they retreated back to their corners.

The quick-thinking official grabbed a towel to cover his face, instructing each corner to do likewise with the fighters.

Both fighters and their teams were heard spluttering and wheezing as they waited with the DAZN commentary team confirming ‘tear gas in the air’ had forced the fight to be stopped.

It was also confirmed the gas was released outside the arena but found its way into the arena.

The Sun report the chaos was sparked as fans tried to enter without tickets for the show – headlined by popular social media influencers Portable and Carter Efe.

British fighter Joe Laws was among the fighters set to appear on the card but was also caught up in the chaos, leaving the venue as the drama escalated.

‘I can tell for a fact something has left off in the arena, causing a coughing fit for not only us at ringside but also now those in the ring,’ the DAZN commentator said as the fight was stopped.

‘We’ve had confirmation there is some tear gas in the air.

‘
‘It does look we will have to take a break,’ the co-commentator added.

‘It sprayed from the outside but it looks like it has found its way into the hall.’
The action was eventually resumed with Adebayo going on to claim victory.