A boxing referee was sucker-punched and swarmed by attackers inside the ring in a wild post-bout scene in the Dominican Republic.
The chaos unfolded just after referee Smaylin Valdez raised the hand of the fight’s winner at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center in Santo Domingo on Saturday night.
A man who appeared upset by the decision approached Valdez in the ring before unleashing a vicious punch, sending the ref staggering backwards, video shows.
Valdez attempted to leave the ring when a second person swung at him, leading several more men to surround the referee and uncork a barrage of punches.
A battered Valdez eventually fell through the ring ropes and crashed onto the floor, where the assault continued.
The disturbing attack occurred as boxer Norbelto Jiménez was announced the winner of the 10-round super bantamweight bout over Marcelino Nieves.
It’s unknown if the attackers were part of Nieves’ entourage.
Referee Smaylin Valdez raises Norbelto Jiménez hand moments before fans surrounded and beat him inside the ring at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Saturday
Fans jumped in the ring following a boxing match in the Dominican Republic and pummeled referee Smaylin Valdez
The fight’s organizer, Shuan Boxing Promotion, lamented the incident.
‘We deeply regret some inappropriate behavior that occurred during the event, perpetrated by individuals who do not represent the values and philosophy of our company,’ the promotion company said.
‘We completely disassociate ourselves from these acts and reiterate our commitment to integrity, respect, and fair sport.
‘We extend our sincere apologies to the public and all attendees who may have been affected by this behavior beyond our control.
‘We are taking the necessary measures to ensure similar situations do not occur in future editions.
‘We hope that, beyond these isolated incidents, you enjoyed the boxing matches and the level of sport that has been so painstakingly prepared to provide a spectacle worthy of our fans.’
Referee Smaylin Valdez (center) is held back as a fan attacks him following at the conclusion of a boxing match in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Saturday
Referee Smaylin Valdez fell between the ropes and crashed to the ground after he was swarmed and attacks by a group of fans following a bantamweight boxing match between Norbelto Jimenez and Marcelino Nieves in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Saturday
Julio de Jesús attacks referee Smaylin Valdez during a June 2024 match in the Dominican Republic. De Jesús was handed a lifetime ban by the Dominican Republic National Boxing Commission
DailyMail.com reached out to Valdez, Jiménez and Nieves for comment.
Women’s boxing champion Claressa Shields expressed her disgust at the assault.
‘This is FK’N RIDICOLOUS!!!!!’ she wrote in a social media post. ‘This is sad.’
The in-ring assault on Valdez was the second he suffered in less than a year.
In June 2024, he was struck by boxer Julio de Jesús after his fight against Angel Cruz was stopped in the fifth round.
In that dust-up, Valdez retaliated and punched de Jesús, who received a lifetime ban from the Dominican Republic National Boxing Commission.
