A former French boxing champion filmed landing punches on riot police during a ‘yellow vest’ protest in Paris last weekend has received pledges of support and cash via social media.
A website set up to raise funds for the boxer Christophe Dettinger showed on Tuesday that it had received pledges of more than 114,000 euros (C$173,399) to help Dettinger.
WATCH: Protester punches French police officer during yellow vest demonstrations
Numerous Facebook pages entitled “Support for Christophe Dettinger” have also been set up, with one such page showing it had more than 3,000 Facebook “likes.”
Dettinger turned himself in on Monday, saying he was defending himself. He remains in police custody.
READ MORE: Former pro boxer takes on French riot police, turns himself in
Dettinger, who was twice national light-heavyweight champion, was caught on camera jumping over the railings of a pedestrian bridge blocked by baton-wielding police before swinging blows at the officers, forcing them to retreat.
Nicknamed the “Gypsy of Massy,” the 1.92m (6ft 4in) tall boxer was taking part in an eighth Saturday of anti-government protests that have undermined President Emmanuel Macron’s authority.
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