There weren’t just fists flying at a UBO world title boxing match on Saturday.
Chaos unfolded after Russian light heavyweight Sergei Gorokhov defeated Turkish fighter Emirhan Kalkan by stoppage on Saturday night.
As Gorokhov celebrated inside the Besirli Sports Hall in Trabzon, Turkey, fans turned on the victor as a scuffle broke out in the ring.
A member of Kalkan’s team appeared to reject Gorokhov’s attempt to show respect for his opponent, and a wild brawl broke out, initially involving the combatants’ coaches.
The brawl immediately escalated to over a dozen participants, and Gorokhov stood with his hands in the air, seemingly pleading for it to stop.
Debris was thrown into the ring, starting with a few cups and growing into chairs, many of which were being used as weapons in the ring.
The UBO has yet to comment on the bizarre event, as Gorokhov won by knockout, although Boxing News 24 reports that the result will be overturned into a no-contest due to the melee.
Disciplinary action is expected for both parties in the ugly scene.
“I am very upset about what happened,” Kalkan said in a statement after the fight. “I wish it hadn’t happened.”
Kalkan said he received four stitches from the brawl and that it was Gorokhov who ignited it, describing the events on video as “not exactly as they appear.”
Gorokhov appeared equally unhappy with the brouhaha but was sure to take a few shots at Kalkan in the process.
“There were probably about 80 people there attacking us,” Gorokhov said. “They got in the ring and beat us up after our brilliant victory in the second round, where we knocked this fighter out twice.”
Gorokhov added that his trainer suffered a head injury and was undergoing an MRI exam as a result.
