A VALE man was the MC appealing for calm when an ugly brawl erupted outside the ring following a boxing match watched by millions of television viewers.

The trouble flared after heavyweight Audley Harrison's quickfire victory over opponent Mathew Ellis, broadcast on the BBC on Saturday night. Chairs were thrown as an estimated 200 spectators became involved in the fracas.

Mike Goodall, of Offenham, was MC for the fight, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London and was just yards from the rioters.

The experienced official has been involved with the fight game for 25 years and said he had "seen worse" than what happened on Saturday.

The controversy followed in the wake of Harrison's second round stoppage of Ellis.

Among the BBC's ringside team was Herbie Hide, a former world champion, who climbed on a chair as Harrison celebrated his victory. Harrison was asking the crowd if they would rather see him fight Hide or another former champion, Frank Bruno. After Hide was knocked off the chair by a female fight fan, he left the venue as the riot erupted.

Mr Goodall, who had announced Harrison and Ellis to the crowd as part of the pre-fight build-up, said: "I was there in my professional capacity. The ring that Audley was fighting in was one of mine and I was MC on the night." He is a boxing promoter and runs Evesham-based Ringcraft, which supplies support services to the sport of boxing.

Of the weekend's problems, he said: "Nothing comes as a surprise in boxing any more, after 25 years in it. It's a spontaneous thing."

He added: "If you listen to it on the television, you will see me; you will hear my voice trying to calm it down because that's part of my job.

"You don't become involved; you just try to do whatever you can to lessen the situation. I've seen them a lot worse."

Mr Goodall has been MC for Harrison's most recent fights after his son, Simon, officiated at earlier ones.

Mike has appeared at many high profile bouts, featuring top fighters. Among highlights of his career was acting as MC for the world heavyweight championship showdown between Bruno and Lennox Lewis at Cardiff Arms Park in 1993.

He formed the former Evesham Sporting Club 25 years ago.