Los Angeles (AFP)
The women's boxing match scheduled for Saturday in Flint, Michigan, between Claressa Shields of the United States and Ivana Habazin of Croatia, was canceled after the assault on the coach of the second Saturday just before the weigh-in, officials said. organizers.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) "strongly condemns any act of violence in any event related to our sport, and in particular the horrific attack that occurred as part of an official event surrounding this event," said the WBC in a statement posted on Twitter.
"The WBC will monitor the investigation and resolution of the case, and then determine if any legal action for violation of a WBC rule, regulation, or code of ethics has taken place," he added. the boxing federation.
The other two fights scheduled and televised are however maintained, announced the promoters.
James Ali Bashir, known to have coached Wladimir Klischko, was hit from behind by an unidentified person, just before the weighing of the two boxers who had to fight to grab the WBC and WBO super welterweight belts.
Bleeding from the skull, he remained unconscious for long minutes before returning to him. After receiving first aid, he was taken to hospital, wearing a neck brace around his neck, according to local television footage.
The attacker fled the Dort Federal Event Center, where the pre-fight took place.
Because of this incident, rare in women's boxing, Shields, double Olympic champion in London (2012) and Rio (2016), will have to wait before trying to add these two new belts to those already gleaned from medium and super means.
© 2019 AFP