VIDEO: Boxing champ knocks out pharmacy robber

BRADENTON, Fla. (KABC) -- A robber didn't realize who he was getting in a tussle with at a pharmacy, and before he knew it, the lights had gone out.

David West, 25, was visiting his girlfriend on Valentine's Day at a Walgreens in Bradenton, Florida. West had stopped by to see if she wanted something for lunch when the robber walked in.

"She said, 'Subway,' and literally like right as she said, 'Subway,' the gentleman walked around the counter and jumped onto the counter, demanding pain medicine," West explained.

What the robber didn't realize was West is a pretty good boxer. He holds two state titles.

"He started fiddling with his hands and went to reach into his pants and that's when I reacted," West recalled.

There was a bit of a struggle at first, but then four punches were thrown and the suspect was knocked out.

"I really wasn't trying to hurt anybody, I was just trying to do what was right," West said. "I was protecting the one I love."

West held 26-year-old Anthony Nemeth until police arrived, giving him some encouraging words while they waited.

"I told him this, I hope he uses this as a turning point in his life," West said.

West said he knows people who have had the same problems and hopes Nemeth can get the help he needs.