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How’s this for the holiday spirit?
British boxer Stephen Smith had his ear torn in half like a piece of paper ― and still managed to wish fans a Merry Christmas on Sunday.
Smith got the gift of his left ear repaired by doctors who stitched it up following his super featherweight bout against Francisco Vargas in Las Vegas on Saturday.
WARNING: If you don’t like the sight of nearly severed ears, don’t read any further.
Thanks very much for all your supportive messages last night, read them all and they mean a lot. Went to hospital and got my ear stitched back up so hopefully all will heal well. Thanks again for all the love and support. Have a good Christmas everyone x http://pic.twitter.com/cOun7ST7qX
— Stephen Smith (@SwiftySmith) December 10, 2017
A head-to-head collision opened up the ghastly gap in the ninth round, and the fight was stopped. Vargas was awarded the victory.
Here’s a slo-mo look at the ear-tearing. Again, consult your squeamishness meter before viewing:
If you have a weak stomach, don't watch Stephen Smith's ear almost fall off after clashing heads with Francisco Vargas. #boxinginjuries #sportsreplaysinmexico http://pic.twitter.com/tagCTn0cBQ
— Joe Rodriguez (@joedeportes) December 10, 2017
The fight brought back memories of another van Gogh moment in the ring, when Mike Tyson chomped off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear in a 1997 heavyweight title fight.
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