Maryland commission suspends Lawson Jr. for punching Uzcategui

Leon Lawson Jr. has been suspended indefinitely by the Maryland State Athletic Commission for punching Jose Uzcategui following his bout with Lawson's nephew and protege Andre Dirrell on May 20 at the MGM National Harbor, ESPN's Dan Rafael reports.

The administrative suspension was issued on May 23, allowing Lawson to work as a cornerman in other states, although commissions tend to follow suit when their peers lay down the law.

Lawson is facing first- and second-degree felony assault charges, and could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison and fined. He is still wanted by the authorities, although he's reportedly agreed to turn himself in and will appear in Prince George's County District Court on Friday.

Dirrell had been awarded the victory and the vacant 168-pound world title by eighth-round disqualification after Uzcategui hit him at the round-ending bell. Referee Bill Clancy deemed the foul intentional - hence the disqualification as opposed to a technical decision Uzcategui would have won - after Dirrell was ruled unable to continue.

The fighters appeared to have patched things up, but Lawson brought a chaotic end to the proceedings when he walked over to the opposing corner and threw three punches at Uzcategui, one of which landed flush on the button. Lawson and Uzcategui were subsequently separated, although the cornerman managed to flee the scene thanks to the resulting disarray.

The WBC and WBA have also suspended Lawson for his actions, while the IBF is still mulling whether the controversial disqualification warrants a rematch between Dirrell and Uzcategui and has yet to make a decision regarding potential sanctions.

Uzcategui's camp has also asked the MSAC to review the bout in an effort to overturn the result.