China boxer kills wife
Xu Ding was reportedly under the influence of drugs when he brutally assaulted his wife - Representational image Reuters file photo

A boxer in China reportedly punched and battered his wife continuously for five hours for allegedly cheating on him, eventually killing her. The 27-year-old woman, a mother of a toddler, was initially locked inside her room for three days after which the boxer brutally assaulted her.

Local reports suggest that 32-year-old Xu Ding was under the influence of drugs when he battered his wife, Zhao Pan, in a five-hour long assault. Xu, a local boxer and coach, had reportedly physically abused his wife in the past as well.

Despite repeated attempts made by Xu's mother to stop the assault, she could not save her daughter-in-law. The mother told a local channel, Sichuan Television, that her son also used a stick and a scabbard to beat Zhao.

When an ambulance was finally called to rescue Zhao, she was found alive by emergency workers but in a pool of blood and vomit. Xu had fled the crime scene by then, but was later apprehended by authorities.

Zhao was then taken to hospital where she was treated for three days, but doctors revealed that she had suffered brain damage and could not be saved.

According to the South China Morning Post, Xu later tested positive for methamphetamine. He eventually admitted to the crime, saying he was angry with his wife for cheating on him. However, Zhao's family have rejected the allegations of infidelity.