Sergey Gorokhov (16-11-2) knocked out local boxer Emirhan Kalkan (7-0) in the second round in Trabzon, Turkey. After celebrating his victory, Gorokhov was confronted by a man in civilian clothes who appeared connected to Kalkan. When Gorokhov's cornerman Ismail pushed this man, a crowd rushed into the ring and attacked Gorokhov and his team. Two cornermen were taken to the hospital after the incident. Following medical treatment, the three immediately drove from Trabzon to Georgia, removing their Russian license plates for safety. They successfully reached Georgia without further incident.
Russian boxer Sergey Gorokhov and his corner team were violently attacked by a crowd inside the ring following his second-round knockout victory over undefeated Turkish prospect Emirhan Kalkan in Trabzon, Turkey, on April 26.
Gorokhov, who carries a professional record of 16 wins, 11 losses, and 2 draws, stopped Kalkan — who entered the bout undefeated at 7-0 — in the second round. The trouble began almost immediately after the final blow landed. A man in civilian clothes who appeared to have a connection to Kalkan confronted Gorokhov during the post-fight celebration. When one of Gorokhov's cornermen, Ismail, intervened and pushed the man back, a crowd surged into the ring and launched a full assault on Gorokhov and his team.
The attack left two members of Gorokhov's corner requiring hospital treatment. After receiving medical attention, the three Russians wasted no time leaving the city. Concerned for their safety, they removed their Russian license plates before making the drive from Trabzon to the Georgian border, completing the journey without encountering further trouble.
Why it matters
- A visiting fighter and his team were physically attacked following a legitimate contest result, raising serious concerns about security standards at the event.
- Two cornermen required hospital care, underscoring the severity of the assault beyond a brief ringside altercation.
- The decision to remove Russian license plates before crossing into Georgia illustrates the level of threat the team believed they faced in the immediate aftermath.
