Aussie boxer was sent home over ‘dropping pants in front of official’ during Delhi CWG

SYDNEY - An Australian boxer was sent home early from the Commonwealth Games at New Delhi after he allegedly dropped his trousers in front of an official.

A senior boxing official confirmed that 18-year-old Damien Hooper, who competed in the middleweight division but lost in the quarterfinals, was sent back to Australia a week early over the incident, news.com.au reported.

Back in Australia, Hooper said, “I’m happy to talk about boxing, but nothing else. Please don’t ask me to comment about anything else.”

It is understood that the gold medal favourite contestant would challenge any penalty issued over the incident.

Boxing Queensland’s Allen Nicolson said that Hooper had a difficult upbringing and it would be a shame if the incident tarnished a promising career.

“Perhaps he did step out of line in some way … but it was a little mistake… I know the kid, and it’s not the type of thing you would expect him to do, Nicolson said.

“Kids do all that - dropping their daks - but because it’s India, it’s considered trouble… He could have been going to the loo. At 18, he’s not exactly a dirty old man. Damien, don’t worry about it. You won’t go to prison for it…,” he added.

Nicolson noted that Hooper had shown great determination in getting to the Commonwealth Games.

“He had a hell of an upbringing. That kid has shown a lot of grit to be there,” he said, adding, “I can honestly say we’ve had a very bad Commonwealth Games in terms of boxing. “I’m sure all the boxers would have been in a very depressed state after the boxing. Damien was only just beaten.”

Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite confirmed that an athlete had been sent home for bad behaviour, but would not say if alcohol was a factor, adding that end-of-competition celebrations always resulted in a few unfortunate incidents.

“When everybody’s finished, they’re letting their hair down. They do all sorts of things,” Crosswhite stated.

It was Australia’s worst Commonwealth Games boxing performance in 37 years, with the boxers failing to win any medal. (ANI)