Oldham boxer denies involvement in alleged hotel attack on woman
Date published: 26 July 2018
Joe Eko (left) in boxing action against Kristian Laight in Oldham
A boxer from Oldham arrested over an alleged attack on a young woman at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester has protested his innocence.
Joe Eko, aged 26, posted on his Instagram page confirming he was among those detained after the 20-year-old woman had her throat slashed.
However, he also posted: “It had nothing to do with me.”
Armed police swarmed the scene on Deansgate after the alleged victim stumbled out of the hotel and flagged down nearby officers at around 11.10am on Monday morning.
Dash-cam footage later emerged showing her running from the hotel in a dressing gown clutching her neck, which was bleeding heavily.
She was taken to hospital with lacerations to the throat, but has since been released to recover at home.
Mr Eko was arrested along with three other men aged 20, 24, 26, a woman aged 20 and a 17-year-old girl.
All six have now been released under investigation.
Greater Manchester Police said all were held on suspicion of attempted murder.
In an Instagram message posted last night, Mr Eko disputed this, claiming he was held on suspicion of Section 18 wounding, a less serious offence.
He also posted: “I had a bit of a party for my birthday and something went wrong clearly...but it had nothing to do with me or my friends.
“Everybody who knows me, knows that clearly all I do is box and I’m just about my boxing life.”
Mr Eko has boxed times professionally, in the super-lightweight division.
He won all four fights, the first three of which took place at Oldham Leisure Centre shows.
He last fought at Manchester's Victoria Warehouse in May, 2018.
Greater Manchester Police said inquiries into Monday's incident continue and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident 726 of 23/07/2018. Alternatively, call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.
