The boxing world has reacted with disdain at what has been described as horrible matchmaking, after the seven-second knockout of Miranda Adkins.
Twenty-eight-year-old Seniesa Estrada, who boasts an undefeated 18-0 professional record, floored Adkins, 42, in an undercard bout to the welterweight fight between Vergil Ortiz Jr and Samuel Vargas in California on Saturday (NZ time).
Adkins only took up the sport three years ago and was called in on late notice for the bout with Estrada, streamed live on DAZN, under Golden Boy Promotions.
Adkins was hammered by a barrage of Estrada punches, before crumbling to the floor, where she lay motionless for several seconds.
The scene sparked a rage of fury from the boxing community, questioning why a novice like Adkins (5-1) was allowed into the ring against a seasoned pro.
Veteran coach and boxing broadcaster Teddy Atlas labelled the fight "dangerous", slamming the California State Athletic Commission for approving the contest.
"Why do we have a paid commission, if dangerous mismatches like the Estrada-Adkins fight on DAZN are sanctioned?" Atlas tweeted,
"Why not just do it in street or backyard? Concussions have no preference. Bad!"
Fellow trainer Russ Abner was equally appalled, calling the mismatch "sickening and disgusting".
"Whoever was responsible for sending that poor, helpless woman into the ring should be tried for premeditated assault!," he wrote on Instagram.
"You should be ashamed of yourselves. May this vision haunt you for the rest of your lives!
"You are disgusting!"
Respected boxing journalist Kevin Iole described the bout as "one of the worst things I have ever seen".
Estrada gave full credit to her out-gunned opponent, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason why it's hard to come by quality opposition.
"I give Adkins so much credit, because she stood up and took the fight," Estrada said.
"Due to the COVID situation, we tried to get current champions, former champions and Miranda was the only one who stepped in to take the fight.
"I had more experience than her in the professionals and amateurs, so I let my punches go and couldn’t stop.
"I knew the outcome would be a knockout for sure, but didn’t know how long it would take. God bless Adkins and hope she is OK."
DAZN was hammered on social media for posting a video of the full fight moments after it had aired.
