Boxer's trainer banned indefinitely for shocking coward punch

Andre Dirrell's uncle and trainer Leon Lawson Jr. has been suspended for sucker punching his nephew's opponent in the face.

The WBC on Monday announced Lawson has been indefinitely banned from participating in any WBC-sanctioned fight "in any form or manner."

"The actions, which have been seen all over the world in which Mr. Lawson attacks and punches with bare fists Uzcategui, have created regrettable damage to our sport," the WBC said in a statement, via ESPN.

"The WBC rejects any form of foul play, aggression and behavior. We will seek a meeting with Mr. Lawson to offer several forms of help to address this grave situation."

Dirrell earned the interim super middleweight world title by an eighth-round disqualification on Saturday after Jose Uzcategui struck him with a three-punch combination. Uzcategui had already been warned for landing a shot after the bell earlier in the fight.

Following his disqualification, Uzcategui was unexpectedly slugged in the chin by Lawson.

Dirrell apologised for his uncle's actions once tempers cooled.

"I'm very apologetic for what my coach has done. But he loves me," Dirrell said after the fight. "That's my man, that's my uncle, that's my brother, that's my coach. He cares about my well-being first.

"I don't understand why he did that because, like I said, I feel fine. But this is just the way the cards is dealt sometimes. I have to deal with this, Jose has to deal with this loss and my uncle has to deal with whatever you have to do to him on the board. But please forgive him."