Uzbek Boxer Asadullaev Wins Title, Then Disqualified for Biting

The Asian Boxing Confederation has stripped Uzbek boxer Khavasbek Asadullaev of his winner’s title at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships, ruling that he bit his Kazakh opponent during the light middleweight (71kg) final bout in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Kazakh boxer Ablaikhan Zhussupov has been declared the champion following the disqualification of Asadullaev, the confederation said in a statement. It said the ruling came after a protest from the Kazakh Boxing Federation over the foul, which was overlooked by the referee during the fight on Wednesday. 

After the ruling, the Kazakh federation noted on Telegram that Serbian referee Jovana Ugrenovic had not issued any warning to Asadullaev about the violation when it occurred, and that it had photo and video evidence of the foul. The federation said Asadullaev was “suspended from competitions for a certain period.” 

Some media reports said Asadullaev bit Zhussupov on the shoulder. 

Video of the fight shows Asadullaev being declared the winner after a split decision, embracing his opponent and skipping across the ring in triumph.