A boxing match in Trabzon, Turkey, concluded in disarray after a bout between Russia’s Sergey Gorokhov and local fighter Emirhan Kalkan escalated into a widespread brawl both inside and around the boxing ring.
According to Turkish news outlet Haberler, the fight took place at a sports hall in the Beşirli district. Tensions flared between Gorokhov and Kalkan, a light heavyweight contest, leading to intervention from officials. Reports, citing footage from the event, indicate that dozens of individuals became involved, with chairs, punches, and kicks being used amidst the pandemonium, ultimately leading to the abandonment of the match.
Turkish media outlets suggest the incident occurred around the third round, though the exact cause of the escalation is being described differently by various boxing sources. Haberler reported that an argument between the teams persisted rather than subsiding as the fighters returned to their corners. This led to the involvement of trainers and officials, transforming the ring into a scene of chaos. Other Turkish reports, however, point to rising tensions following what was perceived as a disrespectful action by the Russian contingent.
Coverage from Russian-language media outlets has also emerged, largely referencing Turkish reports rather than official statements from governing bodies or promoters.
As of now, there is no comprehensive official statement in English from the UBO, the local commission, or the fighters’ camps providing a complete account of the events. While it is confirmed that Gorokhov, Kalkan, their team members, and spectators were involved in a violent altercation, further official documentation is needed to definitively detail every action taken by each party.
Translation to English:
Crowd Storms Ring After Controversial Finish at Turkish Boxing Event
A boxing event in Trabzon, Turkey, concluded in disorder after a fight between Russia’s Sergey Gorokhov and hometown boxer Emirhan Kalkan devolved into a mass brawl inside and around the ring.
Turkish outlet Haberler reported that the bout took place at a sports hall in the Beşirli district, where Gorokhov and Kalkan were competing in a light heavyweight contest. Tensions escalated, requiring officials to intervene. Turkish publication Cumhuriyet, citing footage from the scene, reported that dozens of people became involved in the chaos, with chairs, punches, and kicks being evident before the match was halted.
Reports from Turkish media indicate the flashpoint occurred around the third round, though the precise trigger is being described differently depending on the boxing source. Haberler stated that an argument between the respective sides continued instead of cooling down as the fighters moved towards their corners, after which trainers and officials became involved, and the ring quickly turned into a melee. Cumhuriyet and other Turkish reports suggest the tension rose following what was described as a disrespectful act from the Russian side.
Russian-language coverage has quickly picked up the story, though much of it appears to be based on Turkish reporting rather than firsthand statements from sanctioning bodies or promoters.
At the time of writing, there does not appear to be a widely circulated official English-language statement from the UBO, the local commission, or the fighters’ camps providing a full account of what transpired. Therefore, while the core facts are clear – that Gorokhov, Kalkan, team members, and spectators were caught up in a violent brawl – there is not yet enough official documentation to state with certainty every action by every side.
