“No woman should be treated this way”
Bulgarian heavyweight boxer Kubrat Pulev has had his licence suspended in California after he ‘forcibly’ kissed a reporter on the lips.
Pulev was being interviewed by Vegas Sports Daily’s Jennifer Ravalo, who works under the name Jenny SuShe, following his recent victory over Bogdan Dinu when the incident occurred. Though he later claimed in a statement on Twitter to be friends with the reporter, Ravalo later said they had only met the previous day.
Ravalo’s lawyer described the incident as “unwelcome and unlawful” and the heavyweight has been ordered to appear before the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) before he is allowed to fight in the state again.
CSAC said: “Before he will be licensed to fight in California again, boxer Kubrat Pulev must appear in front of the commission and demonstrate that he will conform to this principle of respect.”
Ravalo had said in a statement read out a press conference that the incident left her feeling “embarrassed”. She also explained that Pulev had later grabbed her inappropriately.
“Mid-interview he grabbed my face and kissed me,” she explained. “I was immediately shocked and embarrassed, and didn’t know how to respond.
“Next, I walked to the table to put my items in my backpack. He grabbed both of my buttocks and squeezed with both of his hands. Then he walked away without saying anything to me and laughed.
“It made me feel uncomfortable and frustrated that Kubrat Pulev would treat me in such an unprofessional manner. I did not encourage or consent to Mr Pulev grabbing my face, kissing me, or grabbing my backside.
“I was there at the event covering the boxing match as a professional member of the press. Kissing a woman on her lips without her consent and grabbing her is not acceptable.
“No woman should be treated this way.”
