Boxing title fight abandoned after storm halts event in dramatic scenes

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A European title fight was abandoned on Friday night after the heavens opened in Madrid. Hometown boxer Jose Luis Navarro Jr (17-2, 1NC) and travelling Dane Oliver Zaren (19-0, 1NC) locked horns for the EBU super middleweight title in the main event of a bill staged by JHM Promotions.It tipped it down at an outdoor show in Madrid on Friday nightX @PermantexGThe fight took place at the Hipodromo de la Zarzuela, an outdoor race course situated on the outskirts of the Spanish capital.While it is always risky putting on a fight night without a roof, the weather forecast had promised clear, sunny skies.It quickly became clear that luck wasn’t on the fighters’ side when it began to rain during the introductions.The action pressed on regardless with members of staff desperately trying to cover the canvas between frames.By the end of the third round, however, the rain had picked up.And with the lighting above the ring giving out, organisers were left, with no choice but to abandon the event.The featured attraction was subsequently declared a no contest, resulting in the EBU super middleweight title remaining vacant.Two title fights, no champions crownedBefore the headliner collapsed, there was more chaos in the co-main event. An accidental clash of heads between Spaniard Aaron Alhambra (18-2-1) and Belgian Anes Messaoudi (18-0-2) led to their vacant EBU welterweight title fight being waved off after six rounds.Alhambra sustained a nick on the forehead, which the doctor determined was too deep to continue fighting through.View Tweet: https://t.co/uJYBDujJdlThe fight then went to the scorecards, which told three different stories.Judge Bertrand Chagnoux scored the bout 58-56 in favour of Alhambra, judge Ilhan Homovic had it 58-56 the other way, and Giuseppe Quartarone submitted an even 57-57 scorecard.The bout was therefore declared a technical draw as another EBU belt was left unclaimed.The EBU committe will now look to resolve the title picture at 147lbs and 168lbs.Navarro Jr-Zaren is expected to be rescheduled for the super middleweight crown.It remains to be seen what will happen with the welterweight belt.Boxing scheduleFor all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.