Amateur boxer killed friend with punch to the head, court hears

The man who dealt the blow was an amateur boxer in Mexico

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children and Humaid Darwish Advocates and Legal Consultants are working together to provide vital support to victims of violence and human trafficking. Courtesy: AFPShow more

An amateur boxer killed his friend with a punch to the head during an argument, Dubai Criminal Court heard on Monday.

The two Mexicans were drinking alcohol in their hotel room in Jebel Ali, on November 15, with about a dozen other men who all worked in the same contracting company.

The pair were chatting but began to argue.

“We were having drinks when the two started chatting about who was better in sports and in work,” said a Mexican technician, who was with them at the time.

“The argument then escalated and I tried to calm both men down but they were very drunk and ignored me so I left the room.”

About 10 minutes later, the accused, 36, knocked on his hotel room door and told him he had punched their mutual friend.

“He said he punched him once in self-defence but we all know he is an amateur boxer in Mexico,” said the technician.

“I went to check on the other man and found him unconscious on the floor and bleeding from the head.”

One of the other men in the room, who witnessed the fight, called police and an ambulance to the hotel.

It is not clear when the man died but a forensics report revealed he suffered a brain haemorrhage.

In court on Monday, the accused said the victim was his friend and he did not mean to end his life.

He was charged with causing the wrongful death of his friend and with consuming alcohol without a licence.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 27.