After «World Boxing in Cherkassy» fight card organized by «K2 East Promotions» promotional company in Cherkassy Sport Palace «Budivelnik» where Kiev-based Georgian Avtandil Khurtsidze (20-1-2, 13 КОs) defended his WBA Inter-Continental middleweight and EBA (European Boxing Association) middleweight belt against experienced Uzbek middleweight Kuvanych Toygonbaev (30-6, 19 KOs) post-fight presser was held.

Both fighters took part in it together with Alexander Krasyuk, General Manager of «K2 East Promotions», Shuhrad Haidarov, Toygonbaev’s promoter and Alexander Lihter, Khurtsidze’s trainer.

Kuvanych Toygonbaev was the first to take the floor: «I am absolutely sure that I did not lose the fight. I do not know why the bout was stopped – the cut was small and it did not prevent me from fighting. I could box further. I cannot understand referee’s decision».

Shuhrad Haidarov, Toygonbaev’s promoter was more talkative and he was sure too that he fight had to go on: «We prepared for a very hard fight and we knew that most probably we should go for 12 rounds of high speed boxing. Everybody saw that the bout was tense and very interesting. I am also sure that fight had to go on. Kuvanych was cut during fights several times before and I saw no reason for stopping the fight. I agree that he took many punches but if to take into consideration only count telling blows I would not say that Toygonbaev lost the fight».

Then Mr. Krasyuk commented upon referee’s decision which caused so many heated arguments among fans that evening: «There is WBA rule which runs as follows – if in a fight one boxer is cut due to intentional head butt from his opponent the cut boxer cannot be declared a loser. Either draw or his victory has to be declared. In our case Toygonbaev was cut after his intentional head butt after which referee deducted a point from him and then when the ring doctor recommended that the fight should be stopped there was no need to go for the scorecards – it would be quite legitimate just to announce TKO victory of the fighter that was not cut. In this case Khurtsidze was the non-cut boxer and winner.

I also would like to add that according to the scorecards Khurtsidze was ahead on two of them and a draw was fixed on the third card. In any case the fight was very interesting».

Alexander Lihter, Khurtsidze’s trainer joined the discussion: «Of course, Avtandil was very disappointed because he was just starting to intensify his pressure. His strong point is more aggressive boxing starting from round 8. Unfortunately, he could not complete his plan. But we are not the people that deliver the judgment».

Mr. Krasyuk: «By the way, today’s fight card has become a kind of historical event – we had a complete sold-out. All the tickets were sold one day before the event. Avtandil (addressing to Khurtsidze), will you say a few words to your supporters?»

Avtandil Khurtsidze: «Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!»

Mr. Krasyuk: «Avtandil is satisfied with the outcome of the fight, however, as he himself said immediately after the bout he would have preferred more unambiguous victory. In any case we have a winner who has just defended his WBA Inter-Continental middleweight belt. Now he is WBA #4. Later we shall see how he will move up in rankings after meeting of WBA Ratings Committee».