Former world boxing champion Joe Cordina has been cleared of assault after hitting a man outside a petrol station.
Following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, a district judge found the 34-year-old not guilty of assault by beating in relation to Jamie O’Brien, 33.
Delivering her ruling, Judge Charlotte Murphy said: "I am satisfied that the defendant believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself.
“I am further satisfied that a single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances.
"It is very easy to consider the defendant’s response by considering the CCTV in slow motion, however the defendant had a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge."
The judge said she accepted evidence given by Cordina that he had repeatedly pushed O’Brien “while on the floor to keep him away from him”.
"In my view, it was necessary and the force used was proportionate in the circumstances,” she added. “I reject any suggestion that the defendant was retaliating in any way.
"This is a person who has lived in the public eye for many years and has interacted with the public on a daily basis.
"For all of those reasons, the crown has not proved to the criminal standard. I therefore find the defendant not guilty and dismiss the charge."
The judge had earlier ruled there was no case to answer in relation to a second charge of assault.
During the trial, the court heard that Cordina, who is a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion, was acting on "instinct" when he punched O’Brien during the confrontation.
The defendant had been filling up his Land Rover before walking over to O’Brien, who was sitting on the pavement close to the station exit.
CCTV footage shown in court demonstrated O’Brien proceeding to push Cordina with his shoulder, after which Cordina "punched him with sufficient force to knock him to the ground".
The court heard that the two men then continued to "remonstrate" with one another as they exchanged blows.
O’Brien, from Pentwyn, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
Officers launched an investigation after video footage of the altercation outside Pentwyn service station in Cardiff in February was shared widely online.
Cordina stated he initially believed O’Brien was a fan wanting a photograph, explaining that he is accustomed to being recognised four or five times a day, adding: "I make time for everybody."
He told the court he noticed O’Brien staring at him as he filled his vehicle and beckoned him over, but O’Brien replied: “You come here.”
He said he responded in self-defence because he felt threatened when O’Brien "barged" into him during their initial interaction.
“He had his hands in his pockets, I don’t know what people carry on them these days,” he told the court.
Cordina told the court there was "pretty much" a certainty he would risk losing his boxing licence if he received a criminal conviction, stating that this "100 per cent" had an impact on how he conducted himself day to day.
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