Bulgarian boxing coach kicked out of Delhi event after ring protest

NEW DELHI: Bulgarian coach Petar Yosifov Lesov was kicked out of the ongoing women’s world boxing championships in New Delhi after he threw a bottle in the ring to protest the loss of Olympic champion Stanimira Petrova.

Petrova accused the judges of “corruption” and her coach threw a tantrum after a 2-3 split decision verdict in favour of India’s Sonia Chahal in the 57 kg category.Petrova, who won gold in the 54 kg category in the 2014 edition, said it was not a “fair result”.

“It is corruption by the judges,” the 27-year-old told reporters after the pre-quarter-finals bout.The International Boxing Association (AIBA) soon revoked the credentials of Lesov who won the flyweight gold in the 1980 Olympics and has been a coach for nearly three decades.

“The AIBA has decided to remove the accreditation, and therefore the right to be in the corner, from the coach of the Bulgarian delegation Petar Yosifov Lesov due to his unacceptable behaviour,” the world body said in a statement.“The International Boxing Association does not tolerate, in any circumstances, such behaviour against the AIBA values and AIBA Code of Conduct, especially being a coach.