Boxer grabs reporter and kisses her without permission after fight in Costa Mesa

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - A reporter is seeking legal action against a boxer who kissed her on the lips without permission during an interview after a local fight.

In a video that has gone viral online, Kubrat Pulev, the 37-year-old Bulgarian heavyweight champion who knocked out Bogdan Dinu in Costa Mesa over the weekend was so "elated" after his win that he kissed a female reporter who was interviewing him backstage.

Pulev addressed the kiss on his Twitter stating the reporter was a "friend of mine."

But the reporter is denying this claim and taking legal action as she described Pulev's actions as "disgusting" and "humiliating."

Jenny Sushe, a reporter with Vegas Sports Daily, said in a media conference with high-profile attorney Gloria Allred that she had never met Pulev prior to a pre-fight interview on March 22, 2019.

The second time she saw him was for the post-fight interview on March 23, 2019, when she asked the boxer if champion Tom Schwartz "get through" did Pulev think he "should have a shot". In the interview you see Pulev answer "yes" then as Sushe starts to respond, he grabs her face and kisses her on the lips.

"I was immediately shocked and embarrassed and didn't know how to respond," Sushe, who went by Jenny Ravalo in the conference told reporters.

She said she then walked over to put her things into her backpack when Pulev approached her from behind.

"He grabbed both of my buttocks and squeezed with both of his hands. Then, he walked out without saying anything to me and laughed."

Allred emailed a letter to the California State Athletic Commission requesting Pulev's license to fight be suspended. "Mr. Pulev's reprehensible conduct and battery described above violates California law as well as the rules of the athletic commission," Allred read her statement.

The commission released a statement to FOX 11 stating in part that it takes the incident seriously and, "On Tuesday Pulev was notified that, before he will be licensed to fight in California again, he must appear in front of the commission and demonstrate that he confirms to this principle of respect."

The earliest Pulev can meet with the board is the second week in May.

Vegas Sports Daily released its own statement saying it shares Sushe's embarrassment and "general outrage" over Pulev's actions and is working with his management team to determine what further action to take.