Venezuelan president turns boxer in mock street fight

Nicolas Maduro

Caracas (Venezuela), April 6 (IANS)

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has challenged a rapper to a boxing match in the middle of a street during his visit to the country's western state of Cojedes. President Maduro surprised one of the country's music heavyweights, Gandhi Arocha, by asking him to spar in front of baffled onlookers, reports Xinhua.

The country's leader then imitated world famous boxer Muhammad Ali and showed off his best "Ali Shuffle", a quick footed move used to taunt opponents.

The president was heard shouting: "As Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) !" before launching into the move.

The impromptu boxing match was enacted in good spirits and the pair shook hands afterwards.

Maduro announced that more money would be budgeted for the implementation of infrastructure projects in the Cojedes state.