ANTHONY FOWLER scored a bizarre first round stoppage win after his opponent Theophilus Tetteh slipped and skid all over the ring in duct-taped boots.
The former Olympian was hoping to showcase an improved style under new trainer Shane McGuigan with a scheduled bout against Jack Flatley.
Anthony Fowler beat Theophilus Tetteh in one roundCredit: PA:Press Association
Tetteh struggled to keep his balance as he wore boots held together with duck tape
But after Flatley pulled out during the week of the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn was left scrambling for a replacement and called on Tetteh, who had three previous bouts in the UK.
Despite answering the late call it seemed Tetteh did so without owning a working pair of boxing boots.
From the first bell the Ghanaian resembled Bambi on ice as he was barely able to stand up, frequently losing his balance.
Fowler, 28, scored four knockdowns in the comical one-round win, but all of which were caused more by a loss of balance and grip rather than anything else.
As he slipped, the strips of duck tape were evident on the soles of his shoes.
Fans online were left in hysterics as Tetteh skated around the ring like a novice on ice.
One said: “Fowler had a new trainer. Tetteh needed new trainers.”
Another added: “Excellent competitive fight on a Saturday night. Tetteh caused Fowler a lot of problems there. Great footwork too. Rematch is necessary.”
Promoter Hearn said: “Sometimes, in this game, when you get screwed in fight week and an opponent pulls out, it’s either look around the world and see who you can get or not fight at all.
“I’m sad that we didn’t get to see exactly what Fowler had been working on with Shane, but at least he was going through the motions and getting paid instead of not fighting at all.”
Fowler, who appeared to have stable footwear, sighed: “It’s not my fault. I came in prepared. It’s a shame, but it was only going to go one way.”
Tetteh struggled to keep his balance from the first bellCredit: PA:Press Association
The Ghanaian was flown over as a late replacement opponentCredit: Reuters
Fowler looked frustrated as Tetteh kept falling overCredit: Reuters
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk