Zak Miller, the boxer whose head blew up: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’

The boxing world has been engulfed in massive shock following a horrific facial injury described as the worst ever recorded. The sight was so gruesome that the swelling around the forehead and eyes distorted the face to an unrecognizable degree, prompting even a former world champion to exclaim that it was the worst injury ever seen. According to Star News, the Daily Mail reported that British boxer Jack Miller suffered terrifying facial swelling due to a head collision during a match, causing the bout to be stopped and leaving boxing fans around the world in shock.

The incident took place during an undercard bout at the match of Joshua Buatsi and Will Hutchison held in Manchester, UK, where 29-year-old Miller faced 24-year-old Gully Poirier for the vacant British featherweight title. The event occurred in the seventh round when an accidental collision caused their heads to strike each other forcefully during an exchange of heavy blows. Following the impact, Miller's face began to swell uncontrollably as a massive lump rose above his left eye and hematomas filled with blood formed on his forehead and below his right eye, grotesquely distorting his entire face alongside a severe hematoma caused by blood pooling under the skin.

Despite the shocking state of affairs, the fight was not immediately stopped. In the ninth round, the ring doctor examined Miller's facial condition but permitted the bout to continue. It was only after the end of the 10th round that referee Mark Raison intervened and finally stopped the match. After the fight was stopped, the decision went directly to the scorecards, and the judges awarded a unanimous decision victory to Poirier with scores of 96-95, 97-94, and 96-94, determining him as the British featherweight champion.

As Miller's gruesome face appeared on screen immediately after the bout, broadcasters and fans were left in shock. Former world champion Carl Frampton, who provided commentary for DAZN, shook his head upon seeing Miller's swollen face, stating it was the worst injury he had witnessed in his lifetime. Following the match, criticism exploded on social media regarding the response of Miller's corner and medical staff. Fans condemned the operation for not stopping the dangerous fight early, questioning why the corner did not throw in a towel and asking if they intended to wait until his cheeks and jaw swelled up like balloons.

Adding to the coverage, The Ring reported that Miller has now left the hospital following the brutal hematoma. Star News noted that fans questioned why the fight was not stopped earlier despite such a horrific injury, while expressing deep worry about the fighter's career.