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Olympics: Moroccan boxer disqualified over attempt to bite opponent’s ear

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Olympic boxers tries to bite opponent's ear



A Moroccan boxer, Youness Baalla, almost did a repeat of Mike Tyson infamous “Bite of ’97” after attempting to bite the eat of New Zealand’s David Nyika at the Tokyo Olympics.

UK Metro reported that the Morrocan was behind on points in his last 16 heavyweight bout on Tuesday morning when he pulled the bizarre move at the centre of the ring.

Baalla moved his head towards Nyika and tried to take a chunk out of his opponent but the New Zealander pulled away, having anticipated the move, and escaped any serious damage.

Reports said that the Morrocan had been initially warned by Sri Lankan referee, Nelka Shiromala Thampi, for grabbing Nyika.

However, Nyika kept his cool, closing out the contest to claim a unanimous decision win.

While he escaped punishment at the time, Baalla was later retrospectively disqualified for the incident with officials stating he ‘very clearly intended to bite the ear/face of his opponent’.

The New Zealander was seen laughing the incident off with his team after the contest but understandably aired his frustration later on.

“He didn’t get a full mouthful.

“Luckily he had his mouthguard in, and I was a bit sweaty, but come on man, this is the Olympics, get your s**t together,” Nyika told 1News.

Unfortunately for Nyika, this wasn’t the first time he has come up against a peckish opponent.

In 2018 during the Commonwealth Games, Yakita Aska of Antigua and Barbuda bit him on the chest during their bout.

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