Waterlooville boxers caught up in mass brawl involving 'hammers, bats and metal bars' at England Boxing National Youth Championships

Daron Wiseman, 44, who runs the Team Wiseman Boxing Club in Waterlooville, described seeing attackers wielding hammers, bats and metal bars as mayhem ensued at the England Boxing National Youth Championships.

The professional boxing coach had been at the Sports Connexion Arena in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, in Warwickshire, with his fighter Charlie Martin, who is also from Waterlooville.

Charlie, 16, had made it through to the semi-final of the event and was getting warmed up for his bout when the violence broke out.

Mr Wiseman said: ‘A group of around 15 to 20 people burst past the bouncers and started fighting with a group of people in the corner. There were chairs being thrown, one person let off a fire extinguisher - it was absolute chaos.’

In the ensuing panic Mr Wiseman thought the venue may have even been under a terrorist attack.

Mr Wiseman added: ‘I didn’t know what was happening.

‘At first I thought it might be a terrorist attack. I was really worried about my wife and my boxer’s family who were in the crowd.’

The brawl resulted in the event having to be cancelled which has left both Charlie and Mr Wiseman in a state of limbo as they wait for England Boxing to confirm when the semi-final bout will take place.

Mr Wiseman said: ‘When it all kicked off I grabbed Charlie and looked to get him out of there.

‘The whole thing was a real let down and a terrible example to these young boys.’

He added: ‘It’s really disappointing for Charlie who had worked hard to get to this stage. We have been training since before Christmas and he has been dieting to get down to his weight. We’ve been told the bout will still take place but don’t know when.’

Warwickshire police have confirmed that four people were taken to hospital and one man has since been arrested.

Superintendent Pete Hill said: ‘This was a terrifying ordeal for members of the public who were at the arena and witnessed this large-scale violent disorder.’

Mr Wiseman added: ‘I have never experienced anything like this. It’s really bad publicity for the sport.’