Boxer who kissed reporter ordered to take sexual harassment training before suspension is lifted
Kubrat Pulev’s suspension for kissing a reporter during a post-fight interview has been extended indefinitely.
It won’t be lifted until he completes sexual harassment prevention training mandated Tuesday by the California State Athletic Commission.
During a post-fight interview after a March 23 victory over Bogdan Dinu in Costa Mesa, California, Pulev concluded a video interview with Vegas Sports Daily contributor Jenny Ravalo by grabbing her face and kissing her.
Ravalo posted the interview and the kiss online and later hired attorney Gloria Allred to pursue legal action against the boxer for the unwanted advance.
Allred requested an investigation from the CSAC, which levied a six-month suspension and followed up with Tuesday’s mandate of sexual harassment prevention training at a hearing.
“I would like this to be a teachable moment rather than take away a fighter’s ability to make a living,” CSAC commissioner Martha Shen-Urquidez told The Los Angeles Times.
Pulev has been ordered to undergo the training before the commission’s next meeting in San Diego on July 22, according to the Times. He is also required to pay a $2,500 fine, the largest fine the state can impose.
Pulev (27-1, 14 KOs), from Bulgaria, is not permitted to fight again in the United States until the suspension has been lifted.
According to Boxing Scene, Pulev apologized during the hearing.
“My actions were wrong,” Pulev said Tuesday. “I do realize that I made a mistake. Not just because it was bad to do this on camera, but it set a bad example for how an athlete should conduct himself in public.”
It was a change in tone from his initial social media reaction in which he claimed that Ravalo was his friend and that the two laughed about the incident at a post-fight party.
For the most commented kiss in the world! pic.twitter.com/T1Ktlprff4
— Kubrat Pulev (@KubratPulev) March 26, 2019
Ravalo disputed Pulev’s account when she announced legal action alongside Allred, claiming that she doesn’t have a personal relationship with the boxer while also accusing him of groping her.
“He grabbed both of my buttocks and squeezed with both of his hands,” Ravalo said. “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.
“What he did to me was disgusting. I felt humiliated, and no woman should be treated this way. Mr. Pulev and I were not friends, and were not in a romantic relationship. He had no right to kiss me.”
Allred was satisfied with Tuesday’s hearing.
“It was a fair hearing, and we’ll be at the next hearing,” Allred told The Times.
Allred also told The Times that Ravalo had not sued Pulev or filed a police complaint.
According to The Times, the commission warned Pulev that even if he satisfies the terms to lift the current suspension and then commits another ensuing similar act, he’ll be subject to a lifetime suspension.
Following his victory over Dinu, Pulev was next in line to challenge unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a title bout.
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