British boxer suffers gruesome swelling after head collision

November 10, 2026

1 minute read

• Miller's face was disfigured as a result of the cuts and swellings

Boxing fans were left stunned as Zak Miller’s title fight was called off with the Englishman suffering horrific facial swellings.

The 29-year-old from Manchester was fighting in his home city against Gully Powar, on the undercard of Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson.

The featherweight bout was ended after 10 rounds following an accidental clash of heads in the seventh that left Miller with gruesome injuries.

With huge swellings on his face and cuts around his eyes, a doctor examined him in round nine before allowing the fight to continue.

Then referee Mark Lyson intervened shortly afterwards, waving off the bout as Miller was left disfigured with a huge lump above his left eye, one on his forehead and another below his right eye.

The injuries appeared to be a haematoma, severe swellings caused by damage where blood pools under the skin.

The fight went straight to the scorecards, with 24-year-old Powar taking the judges’ verdict 96-95, 97-94 and 96-94 to land the vacant British featherweight title.

Former world champion Carl Frampton, presenting on DAZN, described the swelling as “the worst I’ve ever seen”.

Fans struggled to believe the fight had been allowed to continue, with one posting on X:

“Zak Miller needs to change his corner, the fact that the ref stopped it, as opposed to his corner doing so is ridiculous. I reckon they waiting on his cheeks and chin to be ballooned shaped before pulling him out. Shocking work.”

Another said:

“Was a nasty look for Zak Miller! Hope his corner’s decision to not throw towel in doesn’t come back to haunt them! Speedy recovery Zak.”

A third said:

“An absolutely disgusting amount of swelling on the head of Zak Miller tonight. I hope he’s all okay. ‘.”

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