From fan-man invading Holyfield’s bout with Bowe to boxers fighting kangaroos and octopi, the sport of boxing has seen more than its fair share of bizarre stories, and perhaps none rival this one.
In 1989, in a British light-heavyweight title eliminator, 16-2 Tony Wilson took on 9-0-1 Steve McCarthy in Southampton.
Wilson was coming off a second-round knockout defeat to Tom Collins, and looked to bounce back with a win over McCarthy.
The fight went up the third round, where Wilson was knocked down. He returned to his feet and the pair began to trade shots until the unexpected happened.
Tony Wilson’s mother cuts Steve McCarthy’s head with her stiletto in the ring
Following an onslaught of punches from McCarthy, Wilson’s mother entered the ring and began to strike McCarthy with her stilettos.
She found success, cutting McCarthy’s head and forcing him to exit the ring with blood coming from his head.
Eventually the incident quietened down, and the referee urged the pair to continue fighting. McCarthy, however, refused to enter the ring again, and so Wilson was controversially declared the winner by TKO.
The crowd were furious, launching bottles and abuse his way due to the poor decision.
Wilson reportedly barred his mother from attending any future fights.
This marked one of the most bizarre incidents in boxing, rivaled only by Tony Galento boxing an octopus, The Boston Bonecrusher fighting while blind, and the bout that lasted 110 rounds.
Tony Wilson’s trainer wanted a boxing licence for stiletto-wielding mother
In an article by the Los Angeles Times, Wilson’s trainer, Jimmy Tibbs, a highly respected trainer and father to current trainer Mark Tibbs, defended Wilson’s mother’s actions:
“She’s been quoted in the paper as saying she is ashamed, but she shouldn’t be ashamed,” Tibbs said.
“She’s done what any mum would do under the circumstances. She just blacked out. She didn’t know what she was doing.”
Tibbs joked that he would like to see Wilson’s mother, Minna, in the ring trading punches instead of attacking with shoes.
“I’ve tried to sign her up, but the (British) Board won’t grant me a license.”