Kaliningrad boxer Sergey Gorokhov (16-11-2) and his team were attacked by a crowd in the ring after he knocked out local fighter Emirhan Kalkan (7-0) in the second round in Trabzon, Turkey. The incident began when Gorokhov celebrated his victory and was confronted by a man in civilian clothes connected to Kalkan. After Gorokhov's cornerman Ismail pushed the man, a mob rushed the ring and attacked Gorokhov and his team. Two cornermen required hospital treatment. After being released, the team immediately drove from Trabzon to Georgia with Russian license plates removed for safety. They reached Georgia safely.
Russian boxer Sergey Gorokhov and his corner team were attacked by a mob inside the ring following his second-round knockout victory over undefeated Turkish fighter Emirhan Kalkan in Trabzon, Turkey, on April 26.
Gorokhov, a Kaliningrad native carrying a professional record of 16 wins, 11 losses, and 2 draws, defeated Kalkan, who entered the bout with a perfect 7-0 mark, stopping him inside two rounds. The trouble began almost immediately after the final blow landed, when Gorokhov's celebration was interrupted by a man in civilian clothes believed to be connected to the Kalkan camp.
The situation escalated rapidly. When Gorokhov's cornerman Ismail moved to confront the man, a large crowd rushed the ring and set upon Gorokhov and his team. Two members of the corner staff sustained injuries serious enough to require hospital treatment.
Why it matters
- A visiting fighter and his team were subjected to a violent mob attack following a legitimate professional result
- The incident raises serious questions about fighter safety and crowd control at boxing events in the region
- Two cornermen required hospital care, underscoring the severity of the assault
After the cornermen were discharged from hospital, the team wasted no time leaving the city. Concerned for their safety given the hostile environment, they removed their Russian license plates before driving directly from Trabzon to the neighboring country of Georgia. The team confirmed they reached Georgia without further incident.
The attack on a visiting boxer and his support staff following an official competitive result is an alarming episode for the sport, and the precautions Gorokhov's team felt compelled to take during their departure reflect the seriousness of the threat they believed they faced.
