A US Marine fought a British SAS soldier in a bout and the result stunned everyone.
In 1998, a company called Universal Warriors put on a boxing event titled 'Commando Knockout Challenge', where contestants - all of them elite service members hailing from several different countries - faced off against each other in a pentagon-shaped ring.
One of the match-ups on the card pitted US Marine Recon Matthew Ortiz against British SAS instructor Carl Richardson in a match contested at 171lbs.
"I’m gonna bring America back to Britain and show [them] who’s boss," warned Richardson before their clash.
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Ortiz hit back: "We kicked the British out once - and we’ll do it again."
Richardson, wearing red gloves, and Ortiz, wearing blue gloves, immediately slugged it out in the centre of the ring.
The SAS service member took the attack to the American, who threw his own wild haymakers.
Action proceeded as Richardson landed a stinging left hook that wobbled Ortiz, who fell against the ropes before returning fire.
Moments later, Richardson appeared to drop Ortiz with a big right hand, but the referee declared it as a slip and didn't rule it as a knockdown.
Richardson continued his onslaught as the commentators noticed Ortiz fatiguing given his hands were down by his waist, with the round coming to an end.
After the restart, Richardson kept up his high pace and pressured Ortiz with volume striking.
Richardson landed a clubbing right hand that was the beginning of the end.
He bombarded Ortiz with an array of punches - including a focus on the body.
Ortiz eventually crumbled to the canvas after one too many shots and looked completely exhausted as the referee attended to the downed fighter.
"A lot of heart though... you got to give it to Ortiz. A lot of credit for courage and heart," said the commentator calling Richardson vs. Ortiz. "It's a great fight."
Topics: Boxing
Nasir Jabbar