Aussie boxer Paul Trainor says he sympathises with rival Alan Perrie after the Scottish fighter refused to shake his hand, before storming off after defeat at the Commonwealth Games. Trainor was booed by the home fans in Glasgow before the bout, and the jeers rang down afterwards too, following a controversial stoppage in the second round that handed the Aussie victory in the 80kg category.
Trainor knocked out Perrie’s mouthguard after a huge shot in the second round, prompting the first stoppage as the ringside doctor inspected the inside of the Scot’s mouth. And with 37 seconds left in the second round, the referee and medical officer called an end to the fight due to a number of serious cuts in Perrie’s mouth and nose.
Scottish boxer Alan Perrie (R) snubbed a handshake from Aussie rival Paul Trainor (L) after losing their Commonwealth Games bout due to a controversial second round stoppage. Pic: Getty
The decision prompted a furious reaction from the parochial home crowd and the Scottish fighter, who ignored Trainor’s attempts to shake his hand after the bout. Perrie blew up at the referee and angrily protested the decision, before jumping out of the ring and marching straight past waiting media in obvious frustration.
The incident left many questioning the poor sportsmanship from the Scottish fighter. But a classy Trainor said he understood his opponent’s disappointment and refused to let the drama overshadow his maiden Games triumph.
Aussie boxer’s classy response to snub from rival
“It’s months of sacrifice… it would be bitter for him. I understand that emotions run high,” Trainor said after the win. “All is fair in love and war. It feels awesome to start Australia off with a win. I’m sure there will be more to come. The aim is gold, so I need four more wins.”
Perrie came out swinging and the judges had the Scot ahead 4-1 after the opening round. But Trainor turned the tables in a devastating second round, where he landed some massive shots on the hometown hero.
“He came out hot … which we knew was going to happen. I feel like I managed to use it against him a little bit,” Trainor said. “In the second round, I started to find that left hand, right hook and as you saw, his mouthguard was coming out and he was very bloody. Obviously I wanted to keep fighting and I wanted to keep going, but a win’s a win and I will take it – so a win by any means necessary.”
Australia’s Paul Trainor (L) won his Commonwealth Games boxing bout against Alan Perrie (R) after a dramatic second round stoppage. Pic: Getty
The 24-year-old Aussie – who now advances to the Round of 16 – said he was ready for the bout to go to a third round but was not shocked when the referee called it early. “I definitely felt like it was only going to get worse,” he said about Perrie’s injury.
“I know he’s a nice kid – we were sparring together a couple of weeks ago in Belfast. It’s definitely not the way you want to be ending a fight in front of your home crowd. So I understand emotions can be high. All respect to him.”
with AAP