British boxer Zak Miller was taken to hospital after a head clash during a championship bout left one side of his face severely swollen, prompting concern over the decision to let the fight continue.

The 29-year-old featherweight suffered the injury while facing Gully Powar at Manchester's AO Arena on 7 November. The contest, held on the undercard of the Joshua Buatsi-Willie Hutchinson main event, was for the vacant British featherweight title.

The fighters accidentally collided heads during the bout, leaving Miller with a large swelling above his eyes. The hematoma became increasingly pronounced as the rounds progressed, visibly distorting his face.

The fight was eventually stopped in the 10th round after a second examination by the ringside medical team. Powar won by unanimous technical decision, with all three judges favouring him.

Why Was Zak Miller's Fight Stopped After His Head Injury?

According to reports, a ringside doctor initially examined Miller but allowed the contest to continue. As the swelling worsened, the boxer returned to the ring before undergoing another medical assessment in the 10th round.

Referee Mark Lyson then stopped the fight following the medical team's assessment.

The decision to let the fight continue after the initial examination has raised questions about whether Miller should have been withdrawn sooner. However, reports do not explain what the doctor found or why the decision was made to allow the bout to continue.

Promoter Frank Warren described the injury as unlike anything he had witnessed during more than four decades in boxing. He told The Sun: 'I've seen horrible cuts, eye injuries and so forth, but I've never seen anything like that.'

Former world champion Carl Frampton also reportedly called the swelling the worst he had seen.

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What Is a Hematoma and Why Can It Cause Severe Swelling?

A hematoma develops when blood collects outside damaged blood vessels and pools within body tissue. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the accumulated blood can push surrounding tissue outwards, causing visible swelling, pain and bruising.

The size and location of a hematoma matter. Smaller collections of blood near the skin may resolve without major complications, but larger or deeper ones can become more serious, particularly when they press against surrounding structures.

In Miller's case, the injury was visible around his head and face.

Head injuries require particular attention because bleeding inside the skull can place pressure on the brain. Warning signs of a potentially dangerous intracranial hematoma include severe headache, vomiting, weakness, difficulty speaking, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Previous reports do not suggest that Miller suffered an intracranial haematoma (bleeding inside the skull). The visible swelling alone does not mean there was bleeding in his brain.

What Happened to Zak Miller After the Fight?

Miller's manager, Kevin Maree, said the boxer was assessed by medical staff at the venue before being transferred to hospital. He remained there overnight for observation and underwent a full medical assessment.

Maree later said doctors were satisfied with Miller's progress and expected him to recover.

Warren also confirmed that the boxer had returned home and was doing well. The promoter said the referee and doctor had made the right decision to stop the contest and pledged that Miller, who fights under the Queensberry promotion banner, would receive support.

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