An Auckland boxer has pleaded not guilty to doing an indecent act at the Boxing Day races at Ellerslie.
Gary Gurr, who was knocked out in the ring by Sonny Bill Williams in 2009, appeared in Auckland District Court today charged with theft, resisting police and willfully doing an indecent act at the racecourse on December 26.
Gurr entered not guilty pleas to all three charges and will appear in court again in March.
Two other men are jointly charged with theft and were to appear in court later today.
Gurr decline to comment outside court today.
Gurr, a heavyweight boxer nicknamed "The Baboon", has been described on a boxing chat room as "mad as a bag of snakes with the speed, guts and determination of a group one race horse".
At the weigh-in before his fight with Williams, Gurr turned the air blue with expletives and gave his opponent a shove in the chest.
His aim was to knock out Williams in the first round, "so I can get to the bar".
Williams stopped Gurr just one minute and 22 seconds into the second round.