Chris Sandow defends fight video: “It’s how we shake hands in Cherbourg”

4 January, 2016. 12:34

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

Hundreds of migloos around the nation were shocked earlier this week after footage emerged of former NRL superstar Chris Sandow fighting another man in his hometown of Cherbourg.

The 27-year-old was seen trading blows with another man, over what the mayor of the town as described as ‘an argument between mates after a few beers.’

However, Sandow revealed to The Advocate this morning via Skype that it’s just how things are done in Cherbourg and people are looking too much into it.

“What you can see on the video is what we called the ‘Cherbourg Handshake’ – it’s how we greet each other, you know?” explained Sandow. “I mean, you can see me help the dopey bastard up after I knocked him down.”

“The media is struggling to find stories, this time of year. But there’s no need to go making something out of nothing. Mate, that One Nation pelican got laid out in Perth and nobody bats an eyelid.”

Cherbourg has become infamous in recent years, with many reports of violence and social dysfunction emerging from the small town. It becomes especially difficult to return to these places after one has tasted the fruit of success.

“When you come back here with a bit of coin in your purse, it paints a target on your back,” said one Cherbourg business owner.

“And now that Chris is fighting professionally, you’ve got blokes lining up around the bloke looking to take him on. When Mike Tyson went to prison, he’d have blokes trying to blue him all the time.”