A terrifying knockout at the 2026 Commonwealth Games left spectators stunned after Wales’ Orlando Holley-Sotomi knocked Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai through the ropes during their men’s 70kg boxing quarter-final, prompting an immediate medical response in the ring.The frightening sequence unfolded just over a minute into the opening round when Holley-Sotomi unleashed a devastating right hand that landed flat on the Thai’s temple.The impact left the Lesotho boxer unable to defend himself as he crashed through the ropes, creating one of the most dramatic and worrying moments of the Games so far.
A terrifying KO stops the quarterfinals
The quarter-final had started at a frantic pace, with both boxers trying to establish control early. The Thai started aggressively, but Holley-Sotomi gradually found his rhythm and started landing clean punches.The discovery came soon.A powerful right hand caught Thai on the temple, instantly taking his balance. As the Welsh boxer followed up with a left hand, the Thai collapsed through the ropes, ending up partially supported by the bottom rope as he lay motionless.Medical staff rushed into the ring within seconds to attend to the injured boxer before carefully moving him into the ring for treatment.Fortunately, the Thai soon showed encouraging signs by trying to sit up while doctors continued their assessment, allaying fears after the alarming scenes.The referee immediately voided the contest, awarding Holley-Sotomi a first round victory.WATCH:
Holley-Sotomi secured a medal
While concern remained focused on the Thai’s condition, the win marked another impressive milestone for the 22-year-old Welsh boxer.Holley-Sotomi had already impressed earlier in the tournament by defeating Paddy Hewitt in his opening match. His emphatic knockout win now sends him into the semi-finals, ensuring at least a bronze medal.Despite his eye-catching performances, the Welsh prospect insisted he is staying put.“I take one day at a time and take everything. I’m grateful that I’m here and yes, I hope to continue to continue again and again. No one can afford to give up, no one is the favorite here,” he said.The spectacular stoppage has already drawn comparisons with some of boxing’s most memorable knockouts in boxing, underscoring Holley-Sotomi’s growing reputation as one of the breakout stars of the Glasgow Games.