Teenager critically injured after fight outside boxing venue

A 19-year-old man is in a critical condition after fighting broke out outside a boxing venue.

What police called "large-scale disorder" erupted during the event at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday night, leaving another man with non life-threatening injuries.

People in the venue described how a "skirmish" was sparked off inside, where spectators had gathered for the headline IBF Youth Lightweight Title bout.

However, serious violence then spilled over outside the West Midlands venue, shortly before midnight, amid reports from witnesses that somebody was stabbed.

A police cordon has now been put up, while forensics investigations continue in a bid to piece together what happened.

Officers are also speaking to people who may have seen the incident and CCTV is also being studied in a bid to identify anybody involved.

Several hundred spectators had turned up to see "The World Awaits" bout's main contest between local prospect Luke Paddock and Myron Mills, from Derby.

Detective Inspector Ian Wilkins, of West Midlands Police, said: "This was a large-scale disorder which has resulted in a teenager receiving life threatening injuries.

"The event was attended by several hundred people and we are trawling CCTV to identify those involved.

"We are in the early stages of our inquiry and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened and has not yet spoken to us to come forward."

Event promoter, Black Country Boxing (BCB), cancelled another event which had been scheduled to take place at the town hall on Sunday due to what it called the "serious incident".

In a statement, the company said: "Our thoughts are with the victims and we will be liaising fully with the police and the venue. At this stage we are unable to comment further."

Walsall Council tweeted: "There was an incident last night in Walsall town centre that had tragic consequences. West Midlands Police is investigating the circumstances.

"We're supporting their investigation into last night's incident in every way we can."

At the scene, a large police cordon has been thrown round the town hall, stretching from the building's side entrance around the corner into Lichfield Street as far as its junction with Hatherton Road.

At least two dozen bright-yellow forensic markers were also visible, laid in a winding trail along the street, leading away from a group of blue tarpaulin crime scene covers just yards from the hall's Leicester Street entrance.

Forensics specialists could be seen photographing and charting the area.

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