Hockey player cops brutal beating after racially vilifying opponent
In January, American Hockey League defenceman Brandon Manning of the Bakersfield Condors was suspended five games for a racial slur directed at Ontario Reign forward Bokondji Imama.
Both players released statements about the incident, with Imama making it clear that there is no place in the game for such conduct and Manning trying his best to apologise for his comments.
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“Last night I made comments to an opposing player that were stupid and offensive,” Manning said at the time.
“After the game I spoke with the opposing player in person, which I’m very grateful for. He allowed me to apologise and I took full responsibility for what I said.”
“To say I’ve learned from this situation is an understatement and I promise to be better.”
On Friday night, the time for media statements had passed as the scene was set for both players to do the talking with their fists.
A little over two minutes into the game, Imama and Manning disposed of their helmets and gloves at centre ice and went toe-to-toe throwing hands.
After some back-and-forth grappling, Imama freed his hand and pummelled Manning with a series of lefts, scoring big with several punches before the takedown.
Hockey world praises Imama for taking action
While one on-ice fight is obviously far from evening the score or resulting in all being forgiven between the two players, it certainly must have felt good for Imama to get his hands on Manning and be able to exact even the slightest measure of revenge.
Twenty-three-year-old Imama’s reputation as a tough customer is well-earned.
He has accumulated 94 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Reign this season.
imama curing racism one fight at a time.
i'd like to imagine that manning was apologizing at the end of that fight— lee olson (@ominousolson) February 8, 2020
Boko Imama beating the racism right out of Brandon Manning. You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/CDFYgBKBeP
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) February 8, 2020
I could watch Bokondji Imama beat the wheels off Brandon Manning all day. pic.twitter.com/KnEayx1qA3
— World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) February 8, 2020
Brandon Manning fights Bokondji Imama — the player he used racial slurs towards on January 20th that saw him get suspended for 5 games by the AHL
Good on Imama. pic.twitter.com/hFZktmAtOs— Adam Girard (@adamgirard7) February 8, 2020