Police have issued a CCTV image of a man officers would like to speak with after an assault during the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match at the Manchester Arena earlier this month.
Greater Manchester Police said a man 'vaulted' over a barrier inside the AO Arena as the bout finished and struck a man sat behind him in the face.
The force says it believes the attacker was from the Merseyside area. He left two women and a man he was at the bout with behind, added GMP in a public appeal. No information about any injuries the victim suffered has been released.
But police want to hear from anyone with information about the identity of the man pictured in the appeal. The attacker is understood to have run away afterwards.
In a statement, GMP said: "We are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
"It is reported that a man vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the boxing match finished, and struck a man sat behind him in the face. The offender then made off on foot, leaving two women and a man he was with, behind.
"Officers believe that the suspect is possibly from the Merseyside area. If you know the man or have any information relating to the crime, please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111."
Liverpool-born Smith produced a devastating fourth-round stoppage to beat Eubank Jr in the middleweight grudge clash in Manchester.
With the build-up overshadowed by unpleasant exchanges during the final pre-fight press conference, there was little love lost between the fighters as they walked out to a packed AO Arena.
Smith, a former WBO light-middleweight champion with 32 wins from 36 fights, made the better start and although Eubank Jr recovered, he was put down twice in the fourth before the referee stepped in to end the contest.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Man burst into bathroom as woman desperately tried to call 999 for help in sickening attack
- Four arrested as stolen car wrecked after being ploughed into lamppost
- Woman told nurse 'sorry' as she fell ill from fatal overdose on Prestwich mental health ward, inquest hears
- 'We have no trains, no trams - now they're getting rid of our lifeline bus service'
- The Rolls-Royce of pies and the warmest welcome at the UK's best pub, just an hour from Manchester
