Sergey Gorokhov (16-11-2 before the fight) knocked out local boxer Emirhan Kalkan (7-0) in the second round in Trabzon, Turkey, after scoring a knockdown in the first. Following the stoppage, Gorokhov celebrated enthusiastically, which led to a confrontation with someone from Kalkan's corner. After Gorokhov's cornerman pushed the man, a crowd stormed the ring and attacked Gorokhov and his team. Two of his cornermen, including Ismail, were hospitalized. After leaving the hospital, the trio drove directly to Georgia, removing their Russian license plates as a precaution.
A Russian boxer and his team were attacked by a crowd inside the ring following his upset knockout victory over an undefeated Turkish prospect in Trabzon, Turkey, on April 26.
Sergey Gorokhov, entering the bout with a professional record of 16 wins, 11 losses, and 2 draws, stopped Emirhan Kalkan in the second round to hand the local favorite the first loss of his career. Kalkan had been unbeaten in seven professional contests heading into the night, making the finish a significant upset in front of a partisan home crowd.
Gorokhov had already dropped Kalkan in the first round before completing the stoppage in the second. His post-fight celebration was animated, which appeared to spark an initial confrontation with a member of Kalkan's corner. When one of Gorokhov's cornermen intervened and pushed the individual, the situation escalated rapidly. Spectators stormed the ring and attacked Gorokhov and his team.
Why it matters
- Two of Gorokhov's cornermen, one identified as Ismail, were hospitalized as a result of the assault
- The incident highlights the serious safety risks fighters and their teams can face when competing abroad in hostile environments
- After being discharged from hospital, the group drove immediately to Georgia, and removed their Russian license plates from the vehicle as a security precaution
The decision to strip the license plates before crossing into Georgia underlines how seriously Gorokhov and his team assessed the threat to their safety even after leaving the venue. The bout had been held in Trabzon, a city on Turkey's Black Sea coast, where Kalkan would have commanded strong local support.
