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Olympic Boxer Tries To Bite Opponent In Shocking Mike Tyson Imitation

Olympic Boxer Tries To Bite Opponent In Shocking Mike Tyson Imitation

Moroccan Youness Baalla somehow avoided disqualification when trying to imitate Mike Tyson in 1997.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

An Olympic boxer tried to bite an opponent in a shocking moment during a heavyweight clash in Tokyo.

Youness Baalla was overcome with frustration in his bout with David Nyika of New Zealand, having lost the first two rounds inside the squared circle.

Desperate and irritated, the Morrocan lost his head in the final round and channelled his inner Mike Tyson when he attempted to sink his teeth into Nyika while they were in a clinch.


The shocking moment is very clear to see in footage posted on social media - and you can see Nyika complain to the referee - but the official appeared to miss the bite completely.

Somehow, Baalla was unpunished and fight went on. Nyika, a two-time time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was the comprehensive victor in his Olympics debut and will now face Uladzislau Smiahlikau of Belarus in the quarter-finals.

Baala, meanwhile was disqualified after the fight for his conduct, as per the boxing task force.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Nyika discussed the controversial incident at the Kokugikan Arena, saying: "Did you see that? I don't think the ref saw it. She was the closest one."

"He didn't get a full mouthful. Luckily he had his mouthguard in and I was a bit sweaty. I don't remember what I said to him but I gave him a little bit of cheek.

"I have been bitten once on the chest before at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. But c'mon man this is the Olympics."

In 1997, heavyweight legend Tyson chomped at part of Evander Holyfield's ear during their clash at the MGM Grand Arena.

He was disqualified, hit with a $3 million fine and suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Mike Tyson, olympics, Boxing