The spotlight didn’t rest on American boxer Andre Dirrell for very long after his IBF super-middleweight title victory over Jose Uzcategui. Andre Dirrell's uncle and trainer is charged with assault for an alleged incident at last week's world title fight. Andre Dirrell Drops Cabrera Twice, Stops Him In 5th Round. Please forgive him. "Our families support us and we draw from each other's energy, and I hope the fans can see that and understand that sometimes emotions run high. -- Leon Lawson Jr., the uncle and assistant trainer of super middleweight Andre Dirrell, was wanted on two assault charges … The Dirrell camp, sometimes emotions build up and take the best of us. Real or Not: Gervonta Davis' future at junior welterweight; Garcia-Haney on the horizon? The brothers have been trained from the beginning by grandfather Leon "Bumper" Lawson … "I want to apologize for the gladiators. It has been nearly 48 hours since boxer Andre Dirrell's uncle, Leon Lawson Jr., stormed into the ring and sucker punched his nephew's opponent, Jose … Dirrell's uncle, Leon Lawson, who punched Uzcategui after the fight was over, is wanted by cops and they dont know where he is. Should Emanuel Navarrete move up in weight? According to ESPN’s Dan Rafael: “Dirrell’s uncle, Leon Lawson, is wanted by cops and they don’t know where he is.” “I’m sorry for what my coach has done. — Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) May 21, 2017 Dirrell claimed a vacant interim super middleweight world title by controversial eighth-round disqualification after Jose Uzcategui drilled him with a three-punch combination, the final punch landing while the bell was still ringing to end the round on the Gary Russell Jr.-Oscar Escandon undercard. Instances like this one give the sweet science a black eye. "Commissions have many regulations in place directed at the safety of participants. Leon Lawson Jr., a trainer and uncle of super middleweight boxer Andre Dirrell, has been suspended by the Maryland State Athletic Commission after his sucker-punch attack on Jose Uzcategui. He cares for me. Andre Dirrell’s uncle and trainer, Leon Lawson Jr., would enter the ring and sneak up on Uzcategui only to unload a left hook on him while he wasn’t looking. But Leon Lawson, Dirrell’s trainer as well as his uncle, made a bad situation worse by slugging an unaware Uzcategui. The gladiators are warriors. Leon Lawson Jr., the trainer and uncle of Andre Dirrell , has been suspended by the Maryland State Athletic Commission after he sucker punched Jose Uzcategui following his nephew's win on … But moments later, members of Dirrell's team were allowed into the ring and his uncle, cornerman Leon Lawson Jr., approached Uzcategui in the corner and assaulted him with a … The WBC suspended Leon Lawson Jr., uncle of Andre Dirrell, indefinitely after he punched Jose Uzcategui following Dirrell's disqualification victory Saturday, ESPN.com's Dan … Ryan Garcia or Vergil Ortiz: Who is Golden Boy's best young fighter? Michael Mazzulli, the president of the ABC, who also oversees boxing for the Mohegan Tribe at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, issued a statement on the situation. -- Leon Lawson Jr., the uncle and assistant trainer of super middleweight Andre Dirrell, was wanted on two assault charges by Prince George's County Police on Saturday night after he punched contender Jose Uzcategui, Dirrell's opponent, in the face after the fight had ended. Ranking the returns of boxing's old guard. A brawl appeared on the verge of breaking out until cooler heads prevailed.But moments later, members of Dirrell's team were allowed into the ring and his uncle, cornerman Leon Lawson Jr., approached Uzcategui in the corner and assaulted him with a vicious left hook to the chin. Maryland police are looking for the uncle of super middleweight Andre Dirrell after he punched Jose Uzcategui, Dirrell's opponent Saturday, in the face after the fight had ended. According to a report on Showtime's telecast by ringside reporter Jim Gray, police said they were searching for Lawson and that he would be arrested when found. The fallout from trainer Leon Lawson Jr.'s shocking behavior following his nephew Andre Dirrell's victory on Saturday night at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, began on Monday with two significant boxing organizations coming out against him. -- Leon Lawson Jr., the uncle and assistant trainer of super middleweight Andre Dirrell, was wanted on two assault charges by Prince … ", Trainer Lawson suspended for sucker punch, Ruiz outpoints Arreola for 1st win in 2 years, Abel Ramos upsets Omar Figueroa Jr.; Sebastian Fundora shines in KO victory, Verdejo questioned in missing woman's case, Parker overcomes early knockdown to top Chisora, Arum deems Fury-Joshua fight 'dead in the water', Canelo: Brokered kidnapped brother's '18 release, Mayweather-Paul scheduled for June 6 in Miami, Sulecki-Munguia clash rescheduled for June 19, Late Marvin Hagler gets street named after him, Before Taylor rose to top of women's boxing, the Olympic gold medallist's soccer career was just as bright, Training with alligators: Eubank Jr.'s preparations on new trainer Jones Jr.'s farm, Ranking the best upcoming fights, including Canelo-Saunders, Ramirez-Taylor and the return of Ruiz, Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Logan Paul: What you need to know about their exhibition bout. I didn't win like I wanted to, but I'll be back.". Heavies beware: Youngsters are punching their way through, Efe Ajagba scores must-see thunderous KO; Jared Anderson extends his KO streak, Don't let the name fool you: Joe Smith isn't an ordinary boxer, They're back? Uzcategui was under police protection, according to the report. Leon Lawson, Andre Dirrell's trainer and uncle, has been "suspended indefinitely" by the World Boxing Council. Out of control situations happen inside the ring from time to time, creating drama and action sometimes even outside the ring. "As the president of the ABC, it seems that the action by Mr. Lawson was not only unprofessional but probably also criminal. How Jamel Herring is using childhood challenges as source of inspiration, Oscar De La Hoya needs to promote his rising stars, not steal their thunder. "The Association of Boxing Commissions feels it necessary to encourage all member commissions NOT to license Mr. Leon Lawson as a cornerman, based on his assault to Jose Uzcategui," Mazzulli said. Andre Dirrell wishes it all went down differently. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Dirrell claimed a vacant interim super middleweight world title by eighth-round disqualification after Uzcategui drilled him just after the bell rang to end the round and Dirrell was ruled unable to continue on the Gary Russell Jr.-Oscar Escandon undercard at the MGM National Harbor. Andre Dirrell set himself up as James DeGale's mandatory challenger with a win. Even though it appears Lawson was reacting to a late strike in the match, NO cornerman or trainer should be so out of control as to take a punch at anyone, and certainly not at the opposing fighter. Dirrell went down hard, face-first, and referee Bill Clancy ruled that the final punch landed after the bell and that Dirrell was unable to continue. Uzcategui was restrained by his handlers. The brothers have been trained from the beginning by grandfather Leon “Bumper” Lawson Sr., a former sparring partner of Muhammad Ali, and uncle Leon Jr. Andre Dirrell was an exceptional amateur, winning the 2003 National Amateur Championship and competing at the 2003 Pan American Games, where he lost to Yordanis Despaigne of Cuba. We will seek a meeting with Mr. Lawson to offer several forms of help to address this grave situation.". The punch led to an altercation involving members of the crowd. "The WBC rejects any form of foul play, aggression and behavior. Lawson attacked his nephew's opponent Jose … Dirrell won an IBF-sanctioned title belt but previously has boxed for the WBC super middleweight world title, losing a split decision to Carl Froch in 2009. The aftermath of the Showtime-televised super middleweight fight went viral. Andre Dirrell's trainer, uncle punches opponent (WJRT) By Associated Press. Also, the Association of Boxing Commissions, a national nonprofit organization that represents state and Native American tribal boxing commissions and works with commissions to standardize rules, encouraged all member commissions to refuse to license Lawson. Lawson was pulled away but slipped out of the arena during the postfight confusion. Please forgive them. "The actions, which have been seen all over the world in which Mr. Lawson attacks and punches with bare fists Uzcategui, have created regrettable damage to our sport," the WBC said in a statement. Herring showed he's a top 130-pounder, but can he beat Stevenson, Valdez? A left hand landed square on his face and the incident nearly ignited a riot in the ring. He regrets the actions of his uncle and trainer, Leon Lawson Jr., and feels badly about what transpired with Jose Uzcategui. — Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) May 21, 2017 Published: May. Did Edgar Berlanga benefit from the end of his KO streak? He loves me. Dirrell's uncle is wanted on two assault charges. All commissions should refuse him license as a second/trainer anywhere in the Unites States. "I'm going to stand up like a man. "We boys are gladiators, and sometimes emotions get the best of us," Russell said. Vergil Ortiz showed he's a player at 147, but is he ready for Terence Crawford? Fight was marred by ugly scenes as member of Dirrell's entourage … — -- OXON HILL, Md. Whyte gets revenge as Povetkin's corner throws in the towel. The WBC announced that it has indefinitely suspended Lawson from participating in any WBC-sanctioned fight "in any form or manner.". — -- OXON HILL, Md. Boxing has long been called the theater of the bizarre and Saturday's interim super middleweight title bout between Andre Dirrell (26-2, 16 KOs) and Jose Uzcategui (26-2, 22 KOs) did nothing to contradict. It was unconscionable. The sport of boxing does not condone or excuse Mr. Lawson's criminal act and it is my personal hope the state of Maryland will take direct action against Mr. Lawson. "I'm sorry for what my coach has done," Dirrell said. As Dirrell was being attended to by the ringside doctor, Lawson stormed across the ring and unleashed a bare-fisted combination at Uzcategui. After Russell knocked out Escandon in the seventh round to retain his featherweight world title in the main event, he apologized for Lawson's actions. Dirrell went down hard, face-first, and referee Bill Clancy ruled the punch landed after the bell. After being warned for hitting after the bell earlier in the fight, Uzcategui committed the same crime again to close Round 8 and floored Dirrell with a three-punch combination. Leon Lawson Jr., the uncle of super middleweight Andre Dirrell, was suspended by the WBC for punching Jose Uzcategui, Dirrell's opponent Saturday, in the face after the fight had ended. Andre Dirrell's uncle Leon Lawson landed a sickening sucker-punch flush on José Uzcátegui's chin in one of the most shocking moments in recent boxing history. Boxer Andre Dirrell's uncle sucker punches his opponent for punching after the bell. Ben Askren: No dive, big payday, shocked by the interest in Jake Paul fight, Triller's Jake Paul-Ben Askren PPV leaned too hard into sideshow, but future carries major potential, Real or Not: 'Boots' Ennis deserves a title shot, Fury-Joshua will get done, Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz look to shake up boxing's stagnant welterweight division, Can Smith beat the other 175-pound champs? American fighter Dirrell's … Edgar Berlanga's first-round KO streak ends, but his unbeaten record is still intact, Trainer happy with Edgar Berlanga's KO streak: 'There's no overtime in boxing', The remarkable KO streak of super middleweight Edgar Berlanga. OXON HILL, Md. Leon Lawson Jr punches Jose Uzcategui after Venezuelan lands late blows Uzcategui was taken to the trauma center at MedSTAR Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C., for further evaluation and was released a few hours later. As Dirrell was being attended to by the ringside doctor, Lawson stormed across the ring and unleashed a left hand that landed on Uzcategui's face, nearly igniting a riot in the ring. Boxer's uncle sought by cops for sucker punch, 2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for excellence in boxing journalism. Uzcategui was restrained by his handlers, and Lawson also was pulled away from him, but Lawson then slipped out of the arena during the postfight confusion and was still wanted by police on Monday. "My coach is my family, my uncle, and he was worried. Lawson is the uncle of Andre Dirrell, who was facing José Uzcátegui for the International Boxing Federation’s interim super middleweight title last month. DAN RAFAEL via ESPN . Dirrell's uncle, Leon Lawson, who punched Uzcategui after the fight was over, is wanted by cops and they dont know where he is. Lawson (Dirrell’s uncle/trainer) left the scene after the melee and was being sought for questioning by Prince George’s County Police, possibly for assault. It could be seen in GIF form all over social media. ANDRE DIRRELL'S uncle is wanted by police after landing a sickening cheap shot on his nephew's opponent AFTER the fight. Andre Dirrell title fight ends with uncle punching opponent and fleeing ring This article is more than 3 years old. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? ONTARIO, California – Andre Dirrell dominated an overmatched opponent to successfully launch his comeback Saturday. 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