Jump directly to the content
Pictured
BLOODY HELL

Seven most gruesome cuts in boxing history from Badou Jack’s ‘axe wound’ to Mike Tyson chomping Holyfield’s ear off

BEING punched in the face for 36 minutes by thick-set leather gloves will undoubtedly leave its mark.

But in the sport of boxing, accidental (or not) headbutts and even TEETH have also caused blood to spill and skin to be ripped open.

 Tyson Fury suffered the worst cut of his career in his points win against Otto Wallin
17
Tyson Fury suffered the worst cut of his career in his points win against Otto WallinCredit: EPA

No boxer likes to win on a cut, but sometimes the referee has no option but to wave it off on doctor's advice.

Nowadays boxers, Tyson Fury included, invest heavily in a top cut-man in the corner to prevent the most heartbreaking of stoppages.

And of course a severe cut is at risk of opening up at anytime when it's being pounded.

Here SunSport list seven of the most gruesome cuts of all time - with some of the victims even managing to triumph at the end.

BADOU JACK vs Marcus Browne, 2019

Jack sustained a horrific cut to his head midway through his WBC Silver light heavyweight title fight against Marcus Browne.

People on social media described how it looked like the fight had suffered an "axe wound" on his forehead.

 Badou Jack was always going to struggle to cope with this horrific injury
17
Badou Jack was always going to struggle to cope with this horrific injuryCredit: USA TODAY Sports
 Badou Jack suffered this axe-wound like cut on his forehead in 2019
17
Badou Jack suffered this axe-wound like cut on his forehead in 2019Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The Swedish boxer came off worse when the fighters clashed heads in the seventh round, leaving him with a deep wound on his forehead that poured with blood.

Despite the injury gushing with claret, Jack was allowed to continue and somehow made it to the end of the fight.

 Badou Jack suffered one of the worst cuts ever seen in a boxing ring
17
Badou Jack suffered one of the worst cuts ever seen in a boxing ring
 It hardly looks much better even with stitches in
17
It hardly looks much better even with stitches in

TYSON FURY vs Otto Wallin, 2019

Tyson Fury suffered a huge gash above his right eye after taking a series of hooks from Otto Wallin last September.

He revealed after the fight that it required 47 stitches.

 Tyson Fury survived a real scare in his battle against Otto Wallin
17
Tyson Fury survived a real scare in his battle against Otto WallinCredit: AP:Associated Press

Fury's face was covered in blood and photos later emerged of the gruesome laceration before it was stitched together again.

He enlisted the help of legendary cutman Jacob 'Stitch' Duran for his second battle against Wilder in Las Vegas - but he barely needed him as he battered the American.

 Tyson Fury now invests in a top-class cut-man to be on hand to prepare for the worst
17
Tyson Fury now invests in a top-class cut-man to be on hand to prepare for the worstCredit: @kristianevofit /teitter

MASON CARTWRIGHT vs Darren Tetley, 2018

This is the horror injury suffered by boxer Mason Cartwright that saw his fight against Darren Tetley waved off.

The two welterweights had put on a real blood-and-thunder battle on the undercard of Josh Warrington's world title win against Lee Selby.

Mason Cartwright reveals horror torn lip hanging off face after being rushed to hospital for stitches following Darren Tetley loss
 Mason Cartwright's lip was left virtually hanging off in his fight against Darren Tetley
17
Mason Cartwright's lip was left virtually hanging off in his fight against Darren TetleyCredit: Mark Robinson

On the doctor's advice, the fight was all over in the ninth and Tetley was the new WBO European welterweight champion.

It was hardly surprising with Cartwright's lip appearing to be hanging off.

 Cartwright lost his European title in heartbreaking fashion - but the doctor clearly had to make the call
17
Cartwright lost his European title in heartbreaking fashion - but the doctor clearly had to make the callCredit: Mark Robinson

HENRY COOPER vs Muhammad Ali, 1966

Cooper was cut to pieces in his two fights against boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

"Our 'Enry" as he became affectionately known, was stopped in the fifth round of his first fight against Ali in 1963 - but he did score a knockdown.

 Henry Cooper was battered and bloodied after his battles against Muhammad Ali
17
Henry Cooper was battered and bloodied after his battles against Muhammad AliCredit: PA:Press Association
 Unfortunately cuts affected Cooper throughout his heavyweight boxing career
17
Unfortunately cuts affected Cooper throughout his heavyweight boxing careerCredit: Reuters

In their 1966 rematch there was no sweet revenge for the Brit as cuts over his right eye, on his nose and even on his shoulder saw him stopped in the sixth.

The Londoner suffered with cuts throughout his career but will still go down as one of the gutsiest fighters ever.

EVANDER HOLYFIELD vs Mike Tyson, 

Holyfield shocked the world in 1996 after stopping Tyson in the 11th round, with their rematch a year later resulting in one of the most controversial and talked-about moments in boxing history.

Tyson was disqualified after biting off a chunk of his opponents ear, and commenting on the infamous incident, Holyfield added: "When people look at me, I know they are looking at my ear.

 Evander Holyfield had a chunk of his ear bitten out by fierce rival Mike Tyson
17
Evander Holyfield had a chunk of his ear bitten out by fierce rival Mike TysonCredit: Allsport

"People think I got the whole ear bit off!"

The two have kissed and made up - and could even be rolling back the years for a trilogy fight with both considering lacing up the gloves again.

 The boxing world recoiled in horror as Mike Tyson bit down on Holyfield's ear
17
The boxing world recoiled in horror as Mike Tyson bit down on Holyfield's earCredit: AFP - Getty

VITALI KLITSCHKO vs Lennox Lewis, 2003

Brit hero Lewis successfully defended his WBC belt against Klitschko in 2003 after the challenger was pulled out after six rounds of their blood-soaked bout.

Fifty stitches were needed to repair the skin savagely ripped from around the challenger’s eye but the fact he was ahead on all three scorecards has forever pained Klitschko.

 Vitali Klitschko was ahead on all three judges scorecards against Lennox Lewis
17
Vitali Klitschko was ahead on all three judges scorecards against Lennox LewisCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The Ukrainian politician was ahead on all three cards 58-56 and was gutted to have the contest decided on a cut.

Klitschko went on to win the WBC title that Lewis vacated by retiring but he always felt robbed of his shot at revenge.

 Despite the horror cut, Klitschko was ahead against Lennox Lewis
17
Despite the horror cut, Klitschko was ahead against Lennox LewisCredit: Getty
 Vitali went on to become Mayor of Kiev - but is still seething at not getting a rematch against Lewis
17
Vitali went on to become Mayor of Kiev - but is still seething at not getting a rematch against LewisCredit: Getty - Contributor

ISRAEL VAZQUEZ vs Rafael Marquez, 2010

These two put on four legendary fights that no fan could say didn't entertain.

Each had the blood, sweat and tears you would expect when two bantamweights put it all on the line.

The fourth fight was undoubtedly one too far for Vazquez, who it was rumoured wore a face-mask in camp due to fears his numerous cuts over the years would open up.

As expected that is exactly what happened in Part IV against fellow Mexican Marquez.

Vazquez's left eyebrow looked like it wanted to escape at the end and he had a big slit above the right eye, and Marquez secured a fourth-round win.

 Israel Vazquez suffered from a number of horror cuts during his FOUR wars with Rafael Marquez
17
Israel Vazquez suffered from a number of horror cuts during his FOUR wars with Rafael MarquezCredit: Alamy
Topics