An explosive confrontation erupted at a boxing event in Santo Domingo, leaving referee Smaylin Valdez at the center of a violent in-ring melee.

The incident occurred after Valdez declared Norbelto Jiménez the winner of a ten-round super bantamweight bout against Marcelino Nieves, prompting an attack by angry individuals who invaded the ring, as reported by Daily Mail.

Footage from Saturday night at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center shows Valdez being punched, swarmed by multiple men, and ultimately falling through the ropes as the chaos escalated. The brutal scene left fans, fighters, and the boxing community in shock.

Referee under siege after decision

Valdez’s ordeal began moments after he raised Jiménez’s hand in victory. A visibly distressed man approached the referee in the ring, delivering a sudden punch that left Valdez reeling. As the referee tried to exit, he was struck again and then surrounded by a group who unleashed a flurry of punches.

Several witnesses described the attack as both disturbing and unprecedented, with Valdez being battered until he toppled through the ropes and crashed onto the floor below. Once on the ground, the assault continued, raising questions about security and crowd control at the event.

The attackers’ identities and their relationship to Marcelino Nieves or his team remain unknown. Organizers and boxing officials are investigating whether the assailants belonged to Nieves’ entourage or were acting independently out of anger over the fight’s outcome.

Boxing community reacts to violence in the ring

Shuan Boxing Promotion, the organization behind the event, quickly condemned the violence and attempted to distance the company from those responsible. In an official statement, the promotion said:

We deeply regret some inappropriate behavior that occurred during the event, perpetrated by individuals who do not represent the values and philosophy of our company.
We completely disassociate ourselves from these acts and reiterate our commitment to integrity, respect, and fair sport.

The statement also emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and assured fans that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents. Organizers encouraged attendees to remember the high level of competition on display despite the violent interruption.

Women’s boxing champion Claressa Shields voiced her outrage on social media, writing, “This is FK'N RIDICOLOUS!!!!! This is sad.” Her reaction echoed the sentiments of many in the boxing world, who called for stricter measures to protect officials and ensure the integrity of the sport.

History of referee attacks surfaces

For referee Smaylin Valdez, Saturday’s assault was not his first experience with in-ring violence. Less than a year ago, in June 2024, Valdez was attacked by boxer Julio de Jesús after stopping a bout between de Jesús and Angel Cruz in the fifth round.

Unlike the recent incident, Valdez retaliated during that altercation, and de Jesús was ultimately handed a lifetime ban by the Dominican Republic National Boxing Commission. The recurrence of such incidents has sparked debate about the risks faced by referees and the adequacy of protections in place.

Boxing insiders note that referees are often targets of frustration when controversial decisions are made, but physical attacks are rare and universally condemned. Critics argue that more needs to be done to safeguard match officials and restore confidence in the fairness of boxing events.

Calls for increased security and accountability have intensified following Saturday’s events. Promoters and regulatory bodies face mounting pressure to implement reforms and reassure both officials and fans that similar violence will not be tolerated.

Immediate aftermath and next steps for Dominican boxing

The violent attack on referee Smaylin Valdez took place during a high-profile match in Santo Domingo, with Norbelto Jiménez declared the winner over Marcelino Nieves. The chaotic aftermath has placed renewed scrutiny on the safety of boxing officials in the Dominican Republic and the responsibilities of event organizers.

What happens next remains uncertain for the local boxing scene. Organizers insist they will take "necessary measures" to prevent future incidents and reaffirm their commitment to integrity, respect, and fair play in the sport. The events of Saturday night have forced a reckoning on how best to protect those who enforce the rules—and the reputation—of boxing in the Dominican Republic.