Tony Dodson’s Son, Anthony Jr., Critically Injured in a Targeted Stabbing: What You Need to Know

Anthony Jr., the son of former British super middleweight champion Tony Dodson, was critically injured in a stabbing incident in Liverpool on Tuesday night. The 18-year-old was rushed to the hospital with multiple stab wounds after being attacked by a group of men near his home in Croxteth. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but police are treating it as a targeted assault.

Who is Anthony Jr.?

Anthony Jr. is the eldest son of Tony Dodson, a retired professional boxer who competed from 1999 to 2016. Tony Dodson, also known as “The Warrior”, held the British super middleweight title in 2003, and was challenged for the Commonwealth super middleweight title in 2006 and the light heavyweight title in 2012. He had a record of 32 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw in his career. He is widely regarded as one of the best boxers to come out of Liverpool.

He followed his father’s footsteps and started boxing at a young age. He trained at the Golden Gloves Gym in Liverpool, where his father also coached. He had a promising amateur career, winning several regional and national titles. He was expected to turn professional soon and make his debut in 2024.

What happened on Tuesday night?

According to eyewitnesses, Anthony Jr. was walking home from a friend’s house around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, when he was approached by a group of four or five men wearing hoodies and masks. The men reportedly shouted abuse at him and then attacked him with knives and other weapons. He tried to fight back but was overpowered and stabbed multiple times in his chest, abdomen, and legs. The attackers then fled the scene, leaving him bleeding on the pavement.

A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said he heard screams and ran outside to see what was happening. He said he saw Anthony Jr. lying on the ground, surrounded by blood. He said he called an ambulance and tried to stop the bleeding with towels. He said Anthony Jr. was conscious and talking but in a lot of pain. He said he recognized him as Tony Dodson’s son and knew him as a friendly and respectful young man.

The ambulance arrived within minutes and took Tony Dodson’s Son to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He is currently in a critical but stable condition, according to his family.

How did Tony Dodson react?

Tony Dodson, who was away from home at the time of the incident, said he was devastated and heartbroken by the news. He said he rushed back to Liverpool as soon as he heard what happened and went straight to the hospital to be with his son. He said he was praying for Anthony Jr.’s recovery and thanked the doctors and nurses for their efforts.

He also appealed to the public for any information that could help the police catch the perpetrators. He said he had no idea why anyone would want to harm his son, who he described as a kind and gentle soul. He said he hoped that justice would be served and that the attackers would face the consequences of their actions.

He also thanked his fans and friends for their messages of support and love. He said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy and solidarity from the boxing community and beyond. He said he was grateful for the strength and courage that his son had shown and that he was proud of him.

What are the police doing?

The police have launched a major investigation into the stabbing and are appealing for witnesses and CCTV footage. They have cordoned off the area where the attack took place and are conducting forensic examinations. They have also increased patrols in the neighborhood to reassure the residents and prevent any further violence.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Hurst, who is leading the investigation, said that this was a horrific and cowardly attack on a young man who had a bright future ahead of him. He said that the police were determined to find the culprits and bring them to justice. He said that the police believed that this was a targeted attack and that the attackers knew who Anthony Jr. was. He said that the police were exploring various motives, including a possible link to a previous incident involving Anthony Jr. and another group of men.

He urged anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious on Tuesday night, or who had any information about the identity or whereabouts of the attackers, to contact the police immediately. He said that any information, no matter how small, could be vital to the investigation. He also assured the public that the police were doing everything they could to protect them and to prevent such incidents from happening again.

What are the implications of this incident?

This incident has shocked and saddened the boxing world, as well as the wider community. Many prominent figures from the sport have expressed their condolences and support to Tony Dodson and his family. They have also condemned the senseless violence and called for an end to knife crime.

Some of the messages from the boxing fraternity are:

• “I’m gutted to hear about Anthony Jr. He’s a lovely lad and a talented boxer. I hope he pulls through and makes a full recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with Tony and his family. Stay strong, mate.” – Carl Froch, former world super middleweight champion and Tony Dodson’s former opponent.
• “This is heartbreaking news. He is a great kid and a promising prospect. I’ve known him since he was a little boy and I’ve seen him grow into a fine young man. I can’t believe someone would do this to him. I hope he recovers soon and gets back to the ring. Tony, you have my full support and love. God bless you and your family.” – Ricky Hatton, former world light welterweight and welterweight champion and Tony Dodson’s friend.
• “I’m so sorry to hear about Anthony Jr. He’s a brave and talented fighter, just like his dad. I hope he survives this ordeal and comes back stronger than ever. Tony, you and your family are in my prayers. You have the whole boxing community behind you. We’re with you, brother.” – David Haye, former world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion and Tony Dodson’s former sparring partner.

This incident has also raised awareness and concern about the issue of knife crime, which has been plaguing the UK for years. According to the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics, there were 46,265 knife-related offenses recorded by the police in England and Wales in the year ending March 2020, an increase of 6% from the previous year. Of these, 5,863 were homicides, attempted murders, or threats to kill, an increase of 7% from the previous year. The number of knife-related homicides reached 256, the highest since 1946.

Many experts and activists have called for more action and resources to tackle the root causes of knife crime, such as poverty, inequality, social exclusion, lack of opportunities, and gang culture. They have also advocated for more education, prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation programs, as well as tougher sentences for offenders. They have also stressed the need for more collaboration and cooperation among the government, the police, the judiciary, the health sector, the education sector, the media, the community, and the families.

Conclusion

The stabbing of Anthony Jr., the son of boxing champion Tony Dodson, is a tragic and senseless act of violence that has left a young man fighting for his life and a family in anguish. It is also a reminder of the scourge of knife crime that is affecting many lives and communities across the UK. It is hoped that Anthony Jr. will recover from his injuries and resume his boxing career, and that his attackers will be caught and punished. It is also hoped that this incident will inspire more action and change to prevent and reduce knife crime and to create a safer and better society for everyone.