NYSAC walks back purse forfeiture for Redkach after biting Garcia

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Ivan Redkach will not have to forfeit his entire purse to the New York State Athletic Commission after all.

The New York State Athletic Commission has reversed its heavy-handed stance on boxer Ivan Redkach’s mid-fight bite of Danny Garcia.

Initially, Redkach was given an indefinite suspension (minimum one-year), a fine of $10,000, and his entire purse was taken away by the commission after video replay showed him taking a small bite on Garcia’s shoulder in round eight. The referee did not see this infraction and thus no point was taken away.

On the surface, and given the severity of an admittedly terrible thing to do, this seemed like an extreme response. Following a back-and-forth between Team Redkach and the NYSAC, the latter has concurred and significantly reduced the punishment.

From RING TV’s Michael Woods:

“After a final agreement with Mr. Ivan Redkach’s legal team, the New York State Athletic Commission is taking the following disciplinary action against Mr. Redkach for biting Mr. Danny Garcia’s shoulder during the fight that took place on January 25^th, 2020.

• Mr. Redkach was issued a maximum fine of $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Mr. Redkach will be suspended for a period of six months, running from the date of the incident.”

BoxingScene’s Thomas Hauser first reported the story, adding that Redkach’s purse was $300,000.

Redkach denies biting Garcia, so obviously something else was going on in this video if we’re to believe him.

Garcia beat Redkach by lopsided unanimous decision at the Barclays Center. The fight was so nondescript apart from this bite, which is no longer super costly.