Glenn Byrne remained upbeat and engaged in conversations, laughter, and jokes following his hospitalization post his defeat to William Crolla on Friday night. The Irish boxer suffered his first professional loss as Crolla, the younger brother of former WBA lightweight champion Anthony, secured a victory in the seventh round at Planet Ice, Altrincham.
Despite Byrne knocking down Crolla multiple times during the match, observers felt the fight should have been stopped earlier. Referee Ron Kearney allowed the bout to continue, leading to Crolla’s eventual knockout win in the seventh round, improving his professional record to 10-1 while Byrne’s record now stands at 7-1-1.
After the fight, Byrne received medical attention in the ring before being taken to the hospital. Managed by his brother Jay Byrne, Glenn’s team shared an update on his condition, mentioning his positive demeanor while awaiting the results of a CT scan.
Promoter Eddie Hearn acknowledged the implications of the match, highlighting the respect owed to Crolla for his performance. He expressed hopes for Byrne’s well-being while recognizing the intensity of the fight and the potential career consequences for both boxers.
Crolla expressed his concern for Byrne’s well-being, apologizing for his post-fight celebration and commending Byrne’s resilience in the ring. He called for recognition of Byrne’s efforts as a fierce competitor during the match.