Wanderlei Silva Hospitalized After Boxing Exhibition in Sao Paulo
The iconic mixed martial arts fighter, Wanderlei Silva, was hospitalized on Saturday after being knocked out following a boxing exhibition fight in Sao Paulo. Silva, 49, was disqualified in the fourth round for throwing illegal headbutts against Acelino Freitas, 50. Immediately after the fight, a brawl broke out between the teams of both fighters. During the altercation, Silva received a right hook that sent him violently to the ground. The Brazilian media identified Silva’s attacker as Rafael, Freitas’s son. Former UFC champion and member of Silva’s team, Fabricio Werdum, reported on social media that Silva suffered a broken nose and required stitches on his face. He was discharged after receiving treatment.Acelino Freitas, former boxing champion, blamed Silva’s team for the fight, especially Werdum, who threw several punches before Silva was knocked out.Images don’t lie. It was very cruel that that guy hit Wanderlei. He punched Wanderlei in the back of the head. I don’t know if it connected well, but it could have been something very serious.
Fabricio Werdum
Neither the Brazilian National Boxing Council nor the promoter, Spaten Fight Night, announced immediate disciplinary measures. In a statement, Spaten Fight Night declared that the events did not represent their values of “sportsmanship and respect for the rules”. This boxing match was Silva’s first since his retirement from MMA in 2018.When the fight ended, the referee disqualified Wanderlei for the three headbutts, his coach went after me and hit me. Wanderlei, the fight was between you and me and had nothing to do with the team. If you gave me a headbutt, great, I don’t care. But unfortunately, Werdum cowardly entered the ring with your son and went against everyone. And I saw that someone also hit you.
Acelino Freitas
