Following additional investigations into the final match of the 60 kg weight category at the IBA Men's World Championships held in Dubai from December 2 to 13, the outcome of the bout has been left unchanged.
It was reported that the controversial incident occurred at the end of the third round, with approximately 50 seconds remaining. During a close-range clinch, the mouth of Russian national team member Vsevolod Shumkov touched the ear of Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Khalokov.
According to expert conclusions, the incident was accidental and did not affect the course of the fight. The referee had full control of the situation and saw no grounds to stop the match. Video analysis also confirmed that the bout proceeded normally, and no discomfort or objection was observed from Khalokov.
It was noted that, according to IBA rules, such contact is not permitted. However, each case is evaluated on the spot based on its severity, intent, and impact on the fight. No official appeal was submitted by the Uzbekistan delegation regarding this incident before the conclusion of the competition.
Therefore, there are no legal grounds to change the competition results or revise the medal distribution. Meanwhile, to ensure transparency, the case will be reviewed by the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU). If a violation is identified, a financial fine may be imposed on the athlete.
IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE emphasized that impartiality and sports ethics are priorities, and the interests of the athletes come first in all circumstances, reported by report.az.
