Tokyo Olympics: Mourad Aliev in ring protest after Frazer Clarke defeat

When the referee stopped Mourad Aliev's bout against Britain's Frazer Clarke with four seconds left in the second round, the Frenchman flew into a rage, spat out his mouth guard, kicked it, and punched at a TV camera.

Mourad Aliev of France after getting disqualified from a match against Great Britain's Frazer Clarke during the men's +91kg quarterfinal on Sunday.

French boxer Mourad Aliev lodged a furious protest with an hour-long ringside sit-in on Sunday after being disqualified in his super heavyweight quarterfinal bout, expressing his contempt by spitting out his mouthguard and punching at a TV camera.

His opponent, Briain's Frazer Clarke, suffered cuts above on his face in what the referee deemed an intentional headbutt by Aliev, winning the match with four seconds left in the second round.

When the referee motioned for a stop, Aliev flew into a rage, kicking the mouthguard he had ejected from his mouth and making offensive gestures with his arms while pacing around the ring.

READ |

For the next half-hour, the Moscow-born pugilist remained planted at one corner outside the ring, then departed the arena after a word with a group of suited officials only to return about 15 minutes later to resume his sit-in.

"It's totally unfair - I was winning the match," the 26-year-old told a throng of reporters after finally abandoning his spot at the Kokugikan arena in Tokyo.

"I was just stopped without any warning, and they just told me that 'you lost' - just like that. So I think it was an act of sabotage," he said. The first round had gone to Aliev 3-2.

Mourad Aliev of France, the fourth seed, refuses to leave the ring after being disqualified for an apparent headbutt in the 91kg QF. Aliev, who dominated the bout throughout, spat out his mouth gear in disgust when the ref called the bout.#Olympics | #Boxing| #TokyoOlympics2020pic.twitter.com/Pg3FdQRCxC

— Shyam Vasudevan (@JesuisShyam) August 1, 2021

"I prepared my whole life for this event, so getting mad for something like that is natural," he added.

Clarke, who secured at least a bronze with the win, said he sympathised with the Frenchman - three years his junior - and that he had walked over to him after the bout to try to calm him down.

"I've been in these situations myself," the Briton said. "Often you're not thinking with your head, you're thinking with your heart, and your emotions are all over the place.

Clarke said he had expected a tough match, having lost to him six weeks ago, although he noted he had beaten him twice in the past.

"He's a good fighter... I didn't want him to damage his reputation or to be rude to the judges and officials because they're only doing their job. I was trying to give him a bit of advice from an experienced and senior head.

"These things happen. I've had a lot of downs in my career, a lot of ups and a lot of downs. This is a down for him. I know him, he's a good person, I believe he will be a champion," Clarke said.