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'What a disgrace': Boxing world erupts after 'shameful' act

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, Nagy Aguilera clutches his head during his fight against Frank Sanchez.
Nagy Aguilera was accused of acting after a controversial moment in his fight against Frank Sanchez. Pic: DAZN

Dominican boxer Nagy Aguilera has been condemned by boxing viewers after being accused of acting during his controversial fight against Frank Sanchez in Texas.

Fighting on the undercard to the super middleweight title showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders, the Dominican Republic's Aguilera covered himself in shame after a dramatic moment in his bout with Sanchez.

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Aguilera was losing on the scorecards when a seemingly innocuous punch saw him wheel away in agony, clutching the back of his head.

The Dominican and his team claimed that Sanchez's wild haymaker that failed to connect with Aguilera, had actually caught him in the back of the head.

Replays suggested that the Sanchez punch merely grazed the shoulders of Aguilera before missing his head completely.

The 34-year-old Dominican fell back onto the ropes, before eventually collapsing onto the canvas as boos rang out from the crowd.

Aguilera could be heard shouting out in agony before a ringside doctor came to check on him, with the heavyweight's team calling for Sanchez to be disqualified.

“That’s a f***ing foul,” Aguilera (21-11-0) screamed.

“I told you he was going to do it,” Aguilera’s corner told referee Ruben Perez.

“He did it the whole fight ... it’s a foul, it was intentional. That’s what he does.”

Despite those protests, Sanchez (18-0-0) was awarded the victory (60-54 x 3) after the shot was ruled an accidental foul.

Yahoo Sports combat columnist Kevin Iole said Aguilera's reaction looked like a "total acting job", with boxing journalist Dan Rafael tweeting that it was a "pathetic" ploy from the fighter.

Boxing world slams 'disgraceful act

“That was bizarre. How does Aguilera stumble when trying to get up when he was hit on the shoulder? Total BS," Iole tweeted.

Rafael added: "“He just out and out tried to get [one] over on the ref. He wanted out. Pathetic effort.”

Not surprisingly, the criticism of Aguilera came in thick and fast from viewers on social media.

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