Glenn Byrne remained upbeat and jovial after being hospitalized following his defeat to William Crolla on Friday. Crolla, the brother of former WBA lightweight champion Anthony, secured the victory in the seventh round at Planet Ice, Altrincham, handing Byrne his first professional loss.
During the fight, many observers believed the match should have been stopped earlier as Byrne knocked down Crolla multiple times. Despite this, referee Ron Kearney allowed the bout to continue, leading to Crolla’s eventual knockout win in the seventh round, advancing his record to 10-1 while Byrne’s now stands at 7-1-1.
After the fight, Byrne received medical attention in the ring before being taken to the hospital. Jay Byrne, Glenn’s brother and manager, provided an update, stating that Glenn was in high spirits awaiting the results of a CT scan. The boxing community expressed concerns over the referee’s decision to let the fight continue.
Promoter Eddie Hearn acknowledged the significance of the match for Crolla, noting that a loss could have potentially ended his career. He praised both fighters for their incredible display of determination and skill, highlighting the intense battle that unfolded in the ring.
Crolla expressed his sympathy for Byrne and regretted celebrating prematurely, emphasizing Byrne’s resilience and bravery during the fight. He called for recognition of Byrne’s fighting spirit and commended his opponent for his performance.
