Dubai, Dec. 23 -- Manager Vipin Gulia physically intervened to protect Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat during a heated backstage confrontation with opponent Anthony Taylor following Goyat's unanimous decision victory at Misfits Boxing 23 on December 20.

The incident occurred in the medical room minutes after Goyat's dominant win over Taylor. What began as an apparent handshake attempt quickly escalated, with Taylor throwing a water bottle at Goyat before Gulia and security personnel separated the fighters, as per a release.

"When Taylor entered that medical room with clear aggression, I had to step between them immediately," said Vipin Gulia. "My first responsibility is always Neeraj's safety. This was not a sporting exchange--this was someon...