THROWING PUNCHES - Russian Tycoon Punches Fellow Billionaire On Live TV

TV Brawl: Russian tycoon Lebedev punches rival

Pretty entertaining clip from Russian TV that transpired over the weekend.  Watch it all the way through for more examples of Russian TV brawling.

Vodka + Live TV = High Entertainment Value

Text below from Youtube:

A Russian billionaire owner of two British newspapers has punched a fellow guest in the face on a TV show - knocking him off his chair.

Alexander Lebedev, owner of The Independent and the Evening Standard, floored ex-property developer baron Sergei Polonsky during a debate on Russia and the global financial crisis.

A stunned audience watched as the former KGB agent, who made a fortune in banking, landed a right jab on Mr Polonsky's face.

Mr Polonsky was knocked from his chair and tumbled off the back of the studio's elevated platform.
The punch was thrown seconds after Mr Polonsky told other guests he wanted to "stick one in the mouth."

On his blog, Mr Lebedev justified the assault by saying Mr Polonsky had behaved in an aggressive, threatening manner throughout the debate.

"In a critical situation, there is no choice. I see no reason to be hit with the first shot. I neutralised him," he said.

Less than a year ago Mr Lebedev promised to expose wrongdoing in Russia and around the world.

Lebedev, who is estimated by Forbes magazine to have a net worth of $3.1 billion, made his money in the banking industry and owns a 30 percent stake in Russian airline Aeroflot. He also finances Novaya Gazeta, a Russian opposition newspaper, and two British newspapers — the Independent and the Evening Standard.

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Update:

Billionaire Lebedev charged with hooliganism, faces prison.

Comments

[DailyBail]

Tucker Carlson and Greta Van Susteren have epic shouting match

http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/09/tucker-carlson-and-greta-van-susteren-have-epic-shouting-match/

[Josie]

One word: vodka

It's true. money cannot buy class...

[DailyBail]

Vodka + Live TV = High Entertainment Value

[DailyBail]

Mr Lebedev faces up to five years in jail if convicted over the attack on Sergei Polonsky, a property developer, which took place during the recording of a TV debate in Moscow in September 2011.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/9823595/Alexander-Lebedev-in-court-after-punching-businessman-on-TV.html

[DailyBail]

Model wife of billionaire newspaper baron Alexander Lebedev fights to save her husband from Russian jail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2241566/Model-wife-billionaire-newspaper-baron-Alexander-Lebedev-fights-save-husband-Russian-jail.html#ixzz2OeW7P55R