CAPO D'ORLANDO, Sicily -- Italian Massimiliano Duran won the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title Friday after the Puerto Rican titleholder Carlos De Leon was disqualified at the end of the 11th round.
The Puerto Rican boxer, making his 14th defense of the title, was disqualified for throwing a punch after the bell.
The fight was still in the balance in the 11th, with the Italian challenger slightly ahead on points, when Duran was knocked down by a punch thrown after the referee called break.
Duran, 25, managed to beat the count and was then hit again after the bell, leading to De Leon's disqualification.
Italian boxing fans showed their disapproval by pelting the ring with beer cans and garbage.
After the fight Duran accused De Leon of behavior unworthy of a champion.
'But what matters is my victory was obtained by strength and without cheating,' he said.
The defeated champion described his disqualification as ridiculous. 'It was an injustice, an insult to boxing.'
