"Gave him a slap"

Video shows: How the boxing match in Vienna escalated

After Carlos Lamela's victory celebrations, the situation in the boxing ring escalated.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Mass brawl after the boxing match between Mansur Elsaev and Carlos Lamela. After Elsaev's knockout, the situation in Vienna's Steffl Arena escalated completely. A video shows how it came about, the "Krone" spoke to Elsaev's trainer Isaak Kosashvili, who was visibly agitated. 

Elsaev would have liked to win the light heavyweight title on Saturday evening, but his opponent proved to be a spoiler. Lamela finally sent the Chechen-born fighter to the floor in the final round and won by knockout. Elsaev remained lying on the floor, badly damaged, and then the situation escalated. 

After Carlos Lamela celebrated his victory, the situation in the boxing ring escalated.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Dozens of men stormed the ring in Lamela's victory frenzy, causing chaos and a mass brawl. It was turbulent for minutes on end, as video footage shows - while Elsaev was still lying on the ground.

Video: The escalation in the boxing ring at Vienna's Steffl Arena

Coach admits: "I gave him a slap"
Elsaev's coach Isaak Kosashvili has since told the "Krone" newspaper: "The weeks of preparation were very intense, Mansur had torn a capsule in his thumb." Nevertheless, they were looking forward to the evening. Kosashvili described the fight as "even", but Elsaev was hit hard by a left hook in the eleventh round and counted twice. Elsaev was then knocked out in the 12th round.

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"We tried everything to bring this title to Austria and become European champions," reported the visibly moved trainer: "It hurts Mansur and me all the more that it didn't work out." In view of his protégé's downfall and Lamela's excessive victory celebrations, he was so emotionally upset that he "gave the winner of the fight a slap". "I would like to apologize to all boxing fans, especially the youngsters. This is not what we want to convey, nor is it in keeping with the values of boxing and our community," said the remorseful coach.

"I hope the community forgives me"
It was "a gross mistake" after "emotions ran high": "When someone trains hard and gives everything, it's difficult to deal with a defeat like that. But that doesn't justify my actions." He spoke to Lamela afterwards. "I hope the community will forgive me, we're all human."

In any case, Kosashvili said they would continue. Elsaev is currently recovering in hospital, "the doctors say he is doing well". Diagnosis: concussion and a fracture to his right hand, which the boxer sustained in the fifth or sixth round. 

Doping control for Lamela
The team of the "Golden Boy Show IV", as the fight was titled, also spoke to the "Krone": "We very much regret that Mansur Elsaev was unable to bring the title to Austria." With regard to the commotion, he apologized to all the young people who were so important to Elsaev and for whom he wanted to continue his work.

As far as the outcome of the fight is concerned, there will still be a doping procedure, which the EBU is currently investigating. Shortly after the fight, posts appeared on social networks linking Lamela to illegal substances - although the presumption of innocence applies here.