Shocking moment former WWE champion takes off gloves and joins in on boxing brawl

Former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio removed his gloves and got involved in a brawl in a shocking moment during his boxing fight at the Ring Royale event.

Del Rio competed in his native Mexico at the Arena Monterrey as part of a celebrity and influencer boxing show put on by media personality Poncho De Nigris which was streamed live on YouTube.

The 48-year-old, who now goes by Alberto El Patron, squared off against Chuy Almada - a Mexican fitness influencer and boxing content creator.

The two had gone back and forth online in the build-up and then finally locked horns inside the squared circle.

It was Del Rio's boxing debut and both men had to wear headguards. But all hell broke loose in the second round when Del Rio went towards his corner and seemingly gave the invitation for one of his associates to get in the ring.

In a matter of seconds, the ring was filled with members of both camps going out at, with the referee absolutely powerless to stop the fighting.

Both fighters were kept away from the fracas at first and leaned on the rings. But then suddenly Del Rio had his gloves taken off by one of his team and removed his headguard off before involving himself in the wild melee.

Almada ended up picking up the decision victory thanks to the judges. Sean Ross Sapp, a leading wrestling journalist claimed that Del Rio "was getting smoked and was exhausted in under two rounds and clearly nodded at his corner to do the planned attack", while others online wondered whether the incident was real.

Del Rio had two spells in WWE, first signing in 2009 and winning both the WWE and world heavyweight championships.

The Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank winner left in 2014 and won the US title on two occasions in his second stint just over a year later.

With his amateur wrestling background, Del Rio fought regularly in MMA in Japan and Mexico.

In 2019, he returned to face former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz in a losing after being submitted via rear naked choke in the catchweight bout.