Australian boxing champion arrested over savage assault at Gold Coast pub

EXCLUSIVE: PROFESSIONAL Australian boxer Les Piper has reportedly been arrested and charged over a savage assault at a Gold Coast pub overnight which left a local father of two with a fractured eye socket and covered in bite marks.

The violent scenes unfolded in front of horrified diners, including women and children, at the Highland Park Tavern about 7.30pm.

Witnesses have told myGC the former Australian Super Middleweight Champion, whose opponents once labelled him a “brawler as tough as nails”, first attacked a woman, believed to be his partner, before turning on patrons who tried intervening.

Local resident Duncan Mills, 34, was dining out with his family when he was allegedly bashed and repeatedly bitten by the 31-year-old boxer who had allegedly threatened Mr Mills’ disabled friend after lashing out at his spouse.

Mr Mills suffered a suspected fractured eye socket in the attack and was left battered, bruised and covered in bite marks to his head, ear, chest, cheek, and arms.

It’s further alleged Piper kicked Mills’ seven-year-old daughter during the altercation.

Police were called and scores of officers, with the assistance of the dog squad and PolAir, swooped on the area in the hunt for the professional athlete who fled the scene on foot.

He was arrested a short time later and taken into police custody after officers reportedly found him hiding under a nearby shade sail.

myGC understands Piper will front court tomorrow on several charges relating to the dramatic disturbance which was reportedly captured on the Tavern’s security cameras.

The former Australian Super Middleweight Champion of 2008 and 2009 hasn’t stepped back in the ring since losing to Rohan Murdock at Nerang PCYC in November 2013.