For those that have ever wondered who would win a boxing match between a US Marine and a British SAS soldier, a 1998 ‘Commando Knockout Challenge’ has all the answers, ending in a stunning knockout.
The event was held by Universal Warriors, a little-known fight promotion company, and took place in a pentagon-shaped boxing ring, with elite service members from around the world facing off against each other in North Carolina, USA.
On the main card, which was given a ‘US vs the World’ score, what can only be described as a no-holds-barred brawl between the best of the UK and US military took place, but not before the customary trash talk between the two fighters.
Fighting for the UK was Carl Richardson, a 5’9″, 171-pound SAS instructor, against the 5’11”, 168-pound US Marine Recon Matthew Ortiz.
“I’m gonna bring America back to Britain, and show [them] who’s boss,” Richardson declared before the clash. But Ortiz fired back: “We kicked the British out once – and we’ll do it again.”
Almost as soon as the bell rang, however, the brawl only looked set to end one way.
What Happened in Boxing Fight Between US Marine & British SAS Soldier
Both donning camouflaged army trousers, with Richardson wearing red gloves and Ortiz in blue, the soldiers immediately went full gas, swinging haymakers at each other almost non-stop.
Richardson was all over his opponent in the first round, landing a left hook that wobbled Ortiz towards the ropes, before a right hand appeared to drop the American, although it was deemed to be a slip by the referee.
From then, fatigue had appeared to set in for Ortiz, with commentators noting his hands had sunk to his waist. Richardson, on the other hand, was unrelenting in his onslaught of lefts and rights, with the bell coming at just the right time for his staggered opponent.
Soon after the bout got back underway for the second round, Richardson landed a couple of big right hands to back Ortiz into a corner, and with a few more punches, the American fell onto the canvas completely exhausted.
As Richardson lifted his hands up in victory, the American crowd were heard booing as ‘Team World’ went 2-1 up on the scorecard at the Crown Coliseum.
Reflecting on the fight, one commentator said: “Right at the end there, you saw [Richardson] throw a wrenching hook right to the kidney, the body shot just took Ortiz right down. He was ready to go down anyway. God bless him, he showed a lot of character, he’s a Marine Recon, he’s tough.
“It takes a lot of courage and guts to do what these guys are doing. We really have to tip our hats to them.”
Commenting on a clip of the fight on YouTube, one user wrote: “Of course the SAS are gonna win… one of the most well-trained special forces in the world.”
One other viewer added: “Madness. Sheer madness,” while another commented: “Respect to both of these lads. I wouldn’t wanna fight either of ’em.”