Moroccan boxer Baalla tries to bite opponent

Morocco’s Youness Baalla (red) during his heavyweight fight against New Zealand’s David Nyika yesterday. Pic/AFP

Moroccan heavyweight boxer Youness Baalla attempted to bite David Nyika's ear during his defeat to the New Zealander at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday. Baalla, 22, was subsequently disqualified for unsportsmanlike behaviour, although he was already out of the Games anyway following his unanimous-points loss in the Round-of-16 bout.

A Tokyo 2020 statement called Baalla's actions intolerable, saying that he very clearly intended to bite the ear/face of his opponent in the third round of
the bout".

Youness Baalla

Footage shows Baalla trying to bite Nyika's right ear as the two boxers hold each other. Nyika, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist who has already fought as a professional, said: "He didn't get a full mouthful. Luckily he had his mouthguard in and I was a bit sweaty. I was bitten on the chest at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games [2018], but come on man, this is the Olympics."

Also Read: Mirabai Chanu breaks down on meeting mother

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever