Alen Babić defends Martinjak after hitting opponent: 'What are we doing... As if he killed ten children'

Croatian boxer Alen Babić has publicly defended Marko Martinjak, a fighter arrested for allegedly assaulting professional footballer Tomislav Mrkonjić during a five-a-side football tournament. Martinjak reportedly punched Mrkonjić, causing severe injuries, and has since apologized, claiming provocation.

Babić took to Instagram to express his strong disagreement with the public outcry, calling the reaction "terrible" and "a catastrophe." He argued that Martinjak is a "good guy" who has endured significant hardship in his combat sports career. Babić questioned the severity of the public's condemnation, stating, "What have you made of the man... As if he killed ten children, as if an entire bus of children went off the road."

Addressing the alleged injuries to Mrkonjić, Babić downplayed their significance. He questioned how a headbutt could cause severe harm, referencing claims of internal bleeding. Babić shared his own experience of breaking his nose multiple times, suggesting that such injuries are common and heal relatively quickly. "Every normal man has broken his nose at least once in his life without even knowing it," he stated.

Babić urged the public to leave Martinjak alone, offering him "the biggest support in the world." He suggested that Mrkonjić should simply state how much compensation he seeks for his "mental anguish," predicting the injury would heal within two weeks. Babić concluded by reiterating his support for Martinjak, calling him "the king."

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Svaki normalan muškarac je barem jednom u svom životu slomio nos, a da to ni ne zna. Ja sam slomio nos više od deset puta i imao već četiri operacije. I što bih trebao? Tražiti odštetu od svih boksača koji su me oštetili.