After an unwanted kiss of a reporter, boxer Kubrat Pulev must complete a sexual harassment course before his next fight

There have been many instances of reporters complaining about unwanted sexual advances from athletes, from coaches, and from broadcasters, and one of those has now led to a licensing hurdle for a boxer. Heavyweight boxer Kubrat Pulev knocked out Bogdan Dinu in a Top Rank on ESPN card in Contra Mesa, California on March 23, but afterwards, he kissed online reporter Jenny Ravalo (who also goes by “Jenny SuShe”) on the lips during a post-fight interview and earned an administrative suspension for improper conduct from the California State Athletic Commission. On Tuesday, that commission ruled that Pulev must complete sexual harassment training before applying for the reinstatement of his license. Boxing Scene’s Jake Donovan has more on that:

An initial ruling of a six-month suspension—from time served—was essentially tabled, as the matter will be further reviewed during the commission’s next hearing, which is presently scheduled for July 22. Because the CSAC falls within the realm of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), the current suspension in place prevents Pulev from fighting anywhere in North America until reinstatement of his boxing license.

Upon appearing in front of the commission at the July 22 meeting, Pulev will be required to have attended and completed sexual harassment training prior to applying for reinstatement of his boxing license. Failure to do so will result in his being suspended for 12 months and fined an additional $2,500.

In addition to mandated sexual harassment training and completion of such course, Pulev will also have to apply with the CSAC first before seeking a license with any other commission.

…My actions were wrong,” Pulev (27-1, 14KOs) admitted during Tuesday’s hearing, accompanied by his immediate team absent Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who was overseas in Belfast to formally announce the next fight for Top Rank featherweight Michael Conlan. “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.”

Here’s the March 23 interview in question:

https://youtu.be/IED8pbnQlDg

Since that incident, Puley’s camp has tried to impugn Ravalo’s credibility, with his brother releasing a video of her hanging out with Pulev and his associates in the early morning hours after the fight. Ravalo, who has hired famed lawyer Gloria Allred, told the commission Tuesday “All he’s done since then is slut-shame me…He’s said so much stuff. I’ve kept quiet until today. But it’s lies, it’s all lies. All I wanted was an apology which I did not get until today.”

As a result of this proceeding, it looks like Pulev won’t be able to fight anywhere in North America until after that July hearing date. And if he doesn’t complete sexual harassment training by then, that suspension could be even longer.

[Boxing Scene]