Emotions are still running high and the finger-pointing exercise has yet to subside.

But this has not prevented Muay Thai fighter with one win to his name, Steven Lim, from coming out to defend the authenticity of his Sept. 23 bout that ended with his opponent passing away.

Fight was real

In a Facebook post on Sept. 27, Lim posted photos of the physical injuries he sustained as a result of the bout and to also hit out at critics who accused him and his opponent for being reckless as they entered the ring as amateurs who did not know what they were doing.

Family first

According to Lim, the fight was real the moment the management of fellow Singapore Idol alumnus Sylvester Sim approached him to participate in the bout.

However, subsequently, due to insufficient insurance coverage, Sim had to back out not just for his safety, but for his family's well-being too.

Lim also explained that it was Sim who had requested both parties to quit the fight together.

However, Lim refused and said that he did not want to as he felt that would let his fans down:

"He wants me to back out with him. If i back out together with Sly, my fans tat already bought tickets sure will screamed tat I have no credibility by totally wun even turn up on the day itself!"

Lim had also told The Straits Times following his fight that he was not even bothered to find out if he was insured:

"I told them that with or without insurance, I will fight. The stadium last night was packed with people.

"Imagine if I had been a no-show. I would've been letting down all my supporters who were there to watch me fight."

Mothership.sg has reached out to Sim's management for comment.

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Sustained injuries

In the post, Lim described the injuries he sustained.

These injuries, according to Lim, proves that the fight could not have been fake:

"Below r my real injuries plus my aching headaches tat never goes away since the fight, after I suffered multiple punches on my head especially from the first round. I was actually the underdog."

More applause than flak

Lim is usually taken for as a joke because of antics like his Singapore Idol auditions or giving himself a motivational speech in front of a mirror while half-naked.

But this time round, he gained more respect than notoriety from his online supporters.

They applauded his bravery:

And for the fact that he turned up for the fight:

But of course, there will always be the naysayers ¯\_(ツ)_/¯:

While Lim is considering participating in future fights, he is currently taking time off showbiz to recuperate.

The public's supportive response to this latest post is due to Lim honouring his side of the deal and exposing himself to real risks.

About the incident

The celebrity fight-off between two Singapore Idol alumni not only never took place, but ended in tragedy.

This was after alumnus Sylvester Sim quit the Asia Fighting Championship fight one day before it was scheduled to occur on Sept. 23, citing insurance issues.

Taking his place at the last minute was bodybuilding champion, Pradip Subramanian, who ended up facing off against Steven Lim, but passed away after the bout.

The preliminary cause of death is cardiac arrest.

Lim emerged victorious, which astonished and shocked people, as some were sceptical about the authenticity of the fight.

Lim was initially elated he had won, but his glee was short-lived.