Teenage boxer banned for life after ‘brutal’ attack on ref who stopped fight

A teenage boxer has been banned for life after a vicious attack on a referee who stopped his fight. Croatian Vido Loncar’s attack put Polish referee Mageja Dziurgota in hospital. It happened during the aftermath of a European Youth Boxing Championships bout in Zagreb. The 18-year-old initially returned to his corner calmly after Mr Dziurgota deemed his Lithuanian opponent Algirdas Baniulis to be the winner.

I believe that he is not a butcher or as bad as this act makes him look. This was part of his excessive ambition in that moment.

Croatian boxing director Zeljko Mavrovic

But seconds later Loncar floored the referee with a punch to the head before unleashing several further blows. Loncar was dragged out of the ring by his ankles and according to his federation was arrested. The referee remains in hospital. The Croatian Boxing Federation apologised for the “brutal” attack and said Loncar would not fight again.

Vido Loncar Sports