[imagesource: Alan Eason]

On Sunday, Russian boxer Shavkat Rakhimov defeated South Africa’s Azinga Fuzile in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) world junior lightweight showdown in East London, but that’s where the story really heats up.

Immediately after the fight, Fuzile’s camp lodged a protest with the IBF, accusing Rakhimov’s assistant trainer, Ruslan Agishev, of smearing what may have been “smelling salts” onto his nostrils.

This was said to have taken place between rounds seven and eight, and can be seen just after the 42:15 mark below.

According to TimesLIVE, “if this is true, it would constitute a doping violation and, depending on the merits of the case, could mean the fighter could be disqualified”:

For those too lazy to skip through to the appropriate time, this is what we’re referring to:

Wonder what the cutman of Shavkat Rakhimov is putting under his nose here last night against Azinga Fuzile. Whatever it is, doesn’t seem to smell pleasant pic.twitter.com/KvsDM7RZMn

— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) September 30, 2019

I didn’t know that smelling salts to the nostril constituted doping, but I do know that what they found in Rakhimov’s hotel room is not a good look:

On Tuesday, a collection of drugs and medical equipment labelled in Russian was found abandoned in Rakhimov’s East London hotel room.

Bottles of drugs, some half used, others still full and sealed, syringes, intravenous drips, bags and tubing were discovered by SA fight promoter Nomfesane Nyathela of Rumble Africa Promotions [below].

She said that after dropping Rakhimov at the airport on Tuesday she went back to use the fighter’s room at the Premier Hotel East London ICC because it was booked until Wednesday.

Alan Eason

While resting, Nyathela said she noticed the drugs and equipment on the table. The Russian team admitted the drugs belonged to them.

One of the bottles was labeled “Neoton” with the subheading “phosphocreatine”.

She said all the bottles and equipment were being sent to Boxing South Africa (BSA) for tests before further action can be taken.

Surely you would have the common sense to dispose of material like this before flying out of the country?

Boxing South Africa’s (BSA) chief executive Tsholofelo Lejaka says that it’s difficult to tell at this point whether or not the drugs contravene doping rules, so I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Rakhimov’s team have offered up a somewhat plausible defence:

Rakhimov’s manager, Aleksey Titov, told DispatchLIVE the liquid-filled bottles belonged to him. He said he was treating himself to recover from flu in preparation for a marathon in Russia.

“Yes, those things were used by me because I could not bring a nurse with me to South Africa,” he said.

Asked on Wednesday what was being waved under his boxer’s nose, Titov said it was “an adrenalin used to stop nose bleeding”.

“That thing is allowed. I do not understand what the excitement is all about,” Titov said.

Titov also bemoaned the lack of doping agents at the fight, and lack of inspectors in the fighters’ corners to check for illegal substances, both of which could hurt Fuzile’s chances of a successful protest.

BSA blames the IBF for failing to provide both of the above, and they have yet to respond to requests for comment.

So, did a Russian fighter come to our shores, use illegal doping aids outside and inside of the ring, and then jet off back home?

Either way, this story has many unanswered questions.

[source:timeslive]