09 April,2010 04:19 PM IST | | Agencies
Protesting "poor judging" at the ongoing All India Police Boxing Tournament, a pugilist refused to leave the ring after losing his bout here today and was allegedly manhandled before being pushed out.
Uttar Pradesh Police's Abhishek Shah (52kg) had just lost to BSFs E Peris Singh 4-5. Abhishek was leading 4-3 in the bout before a warning for bending ended up costing him a decisive two points in the final few seconds.
Agitated by the stunning reversal, Abhishek refused to leave the ring in protest despite being warned several times by the jury.
Finally, three constables were called in to evacuate him but instead of helping him out of the ring, one of them grabbed the boxer by his neck and pushed him out.
Later, the tournament organisers even apologised for the incident but insisted that given the situation, they were left wiht no option.
"When a boxer has been asked to leave and he refuses to go, then what is supposed to be done? He has to be forced out and that's what we did. It cannot be called manhandling," an Indian Boxing Federation official said.
