Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina has been cleared of assaulting a man he punched outside a petrol station.
The incident outside a garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff, in February led to the 34-year-old being denied entry to the US for a WBO lightweight title clash.
District Judge Charlotte Murphy found Cordina not guilty of assault by beating against Jamie O'Brien, 33, following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.
She said she was "satisfied" Cordina believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself.
"I am further satisfied that a single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances," she said.
"It is very easy to consider the defendant's response by considering the CCTV in slow motion, however the defendant had a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge."
After the hearing, Cordina said in a statement on social media that he was "hugely relieved" to put the incident behind him and was now focused "firmly on the future and getting back in the ring".
Cordina had been filling up his Land Rover before he approached O'Brien, who had been sitting on the pavement near the petrol station exit.
CCTV footage showed O'Brien pushing Cordina using his shoulder, before the two-time IBF super-featherweight champion punched him with sufficient force to knock him to the ground.
The pair continued to "remonstrate" with one another and exchange blows.
O'Brien, from Pentwyn, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
Police began to investigate the incident after footage of the altercation was circulated online.
Cordina said he initially thought O'Brien was a fan who wanted a photograph.
He called him over, but O'Brien said: "You come here."
Cordina said O'Brien then "barged" him during their initial interaction and left him feeling threatened.
"He had his hands in his pockets, I don't know what people carry on them these days," he added.
The judge said: "In my view, it was necessary and the force used was proportionate in the circumstances.
"I reject any suggestion that the defendant was retaliating in any way.
"This is a person who has lived in the public eye for many years and has interacted with the public on a daily basis.
"For all of those reasons, the crown has not proved to the criminal standard. I therefore find the defendant not guilty and dismiss the charge."
The judge had previously ruled there was no case to answer in relation to the second charge of assault.
Cordina told the court it was "pretty much" a certainty that he would risk losing his boxing licence if he received a criminal conviction and that this "100%" had an impact on how he conducted himself day to day.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday, Cordina said it had been a "difficult period" for him and those close to him.
He thanked his lawyer, his family and friends and "everyone who stood by me".
"Your loyalty and support have meant a great deal to me," he said.
"Boxing has been my life for as long as I can remember, and I'm looking forward to putting all my energy into training, preparing for my next fight and doing what I love."
More top stories
- Three children injured after school bus roof ripped off in crash
- 'I started ketamine at 14 and needed nappies at 22' - the rise of young people going to rehab
- 'The school has gone': The cries heard by man who called 999 as Aberfan disaster unfolded