BULGARIAN boxer Kubrat Pulev has finally apologised for kissing female reporter Jenny Sushe during his post-fight interview after beating Bogdan Dinu.
The 37-year-old initially refused to say sorry for planting a smacker on the journalist's lips, claiming the pair are friends.
The kiss happened after Sushe asked the 27-1 fighter if he deserves to face Tyson Fury next following his seventh round knockout win against Dinu on March 23.
She is reportedly taking legal action against the heavyweight over the incident, while also claiming that Pulev "grabbed both of my buttocks".
Though a video later emerged of Sushe attending an after-party with Pulev's team, where she appears to give a man a lap dance just a few feet away from the veteran fighter.
Following the controversial kiss, Pulev was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission and told he must "conform to the principle of respect" before being allowed to fight there again.
Speaking to 120 minutes, the former world title challenger now insists what he did was out of character, and claims it was an "expression of joy".
I’m temperamental and I’ve done it purely out of happiness.
He said: "I am sorry. I’m sorry about what happened (with Sushe). If I can go back in time, of course I will not do it.
"Anyway, it’s the experience again which one must go through. I do such things. I’m temperamental and I’ve done it purely out of happiness.
"I can tell my fans it was the euphoria (of winning the fight against Bogdan Dinu). The people who sympathise with me will know that if I had to do it all over again – I would not (kiss Sushe).
“If God gave me time to return (I’d change it).
“I’m sorry about that. But the point is, the desire that I have (in kissing Sushe) was made with no intention of violence (or hurt). This kiss was an expression of joy.
“Everybody could interpret it as I was pleased. But it was an expression of joy and happiness. Just an emotion, a strong emotion I can compare with if a person was euphoric, to such an extent.”
The statement represents a huge climbdown for Pulev, who had also denied grabbing Sushe's bottom.
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He told BILD after the incident: "That’s not true. And by the way, this woman is not my type. I’m not afraid – I also have videos if necessary.
"I have no fault and have done in my career already tens of thousands of interviews.
"Everyone knows me as a friendly and polite person.
"The woman came to me [at the weigh-in] and said, ‘After the fight, we party'."
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