The New York State Athletic Commission reportedly has bitten back.
The NYSAC has come down hard on Ivan Redkach for biting Danny Garcia on the shoulder in the eighth round of their welterweight fight last Saturday at Barclay’s Center on Showtime, according to SB Nation.
A spokesperson said Redkach has been fined $10,000, suspended for one year and forfeited his purse. The California-based Ukrainian can appeal at a formal hearing if he chooses.
Redkach was behind on the cards when, according to Garcia, he said “Mike Tyson” and then bit Garcia’s shoulder. Garcia immediately told referee Benjy Esteves what happened but later seemed to take Redkach’s strange behavior in stride.
In fact, Garcia hugged Redkach after the fight – which Garcia won by a unanimous decision – as if nothing had happened.
“He bit me. He said, ‘Mike Tyson,’ when he bit me,” Garcia said in a post-fight interview, chuckling. “That’s the first time ever getting bit in a fight. Things happen, though.”
Redkach also behaved afterward as if he hadn’t crossed a line. When Garcia was being interviewed, he simply walked over to Garcia and cordially thanked him for the fight.