Russian boxer Sergey Gorokhov from Kaliningrad and his team were attacked by a crowd in Turkey following his second-round knockout victory over local fighter Emirhan Kalkan. After winning, Gorokhov celebrated enthusiastically, which led to a confrontation with someone from Kalkan's corner. When Gorokhov's second Ismail pushed the man, a large group rushed into the ring and assaulted Gorokhov and his team. Two of Gorokhov's cornermen were hospitalized. After treatment, the trio immediately drove from Trabzon to Georgia, removing Russian license plates for safety. Gorokhov stated approximately 50 people were involved in the attack. The team successfully reached Georgia without further incident.
A Russian boxing team was attacked by a mob inside the ring in Turkey after Sergey Gorokhov, a boxer from Kaliningrad, stopped local fighter Emirhan Kalkan in the second round.
Following the knockout, Gorokhov celebrated in an animated fashion, which triggered a confrontation with an individual from Kalkan's corner. When Gorokhov's second, Ismail, stepped in and pushed the man back, a large group stormed the ring and began assaulting Gorokhov and his cornermen. Gorokhov later said approximately 50 people took part in the attack.
Two members of Gorokhov's corner sustained injuries serious enough to require hospital treatment. After receiving care, the team did not linger in Trabzon. The group removed their Russian license plates and drove immediately toward Georgia, reaching the country without encountering further trouble.
Why it matters
- The incident raises serious concerns about fighter and team safety at boxing events in the region.
- The decision to remove Russian license plates before departing underscores the security fears the team faced on the road.
- The fact that two cornermen required hospitalization points to the severity of the assault, which went well beyond a post-fight scuffle.
No official statement from Turkish boxing authorities or event organizers has been reported in connection with the incident. The circumstances that sparked the confrontation — Gorokhov's celebration drawing an aggressive response from Kalkan's camp — reflect a pattern of post-fight tension that governing bodies have long struggled to police at the amateur and regional professional level.
