Shields vs. Habazin: No Sanctions To Be Issued Over Attack
By
Boxing Clever Published On Wed Oct 9, 2019, 07:48 PM EDT
According to the MLive-The Flint Journal, the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission, which licenses professional boxing and mixed martial arts events, will not place any sanctions on anyone associated with the Claressa Shields or Ivana Habazin - with respect to last Friday's incident before the two fighters were scheduled to make weight.
Prior to the start of the weigh-in, there was a verbal confrontation between Shields' sister and James Ali Bashir, who trains Habazin.
Shortly after the verbal sparring took place, an individual sucker-punched Bashir and knocked him unconscious in the lobby of the Dort Federal Event Center.
Bashir was quickly transported to a local hospital, where it was revealed that the veteran trainer would require surgery to repair multiple facial fractures. Bashir was back in the hospital after a brain bleed was discovered in one of his scans.
As a result of her head trainer's hospitalization, Habazin withdrew from Saturday's fight with Shields. The remainder of the Showtime televised card went forward.
The bout between Shields and Habazin is expected to take place at a later date, for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title.
The MUCC has decided to allow local law enforcement agencies handle the incident, because the commission has determined that it did not involve a member of either camp.
An arrest warrant is being sought through the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office by Flint police for the man suspected of assaulting the trainer. Although some outlets have pointed the finger at Shields' brother, law enforcement officials have not confirmed that as fact.
“At this point in time, there will be no sanctions or other punitive recourse as the assailant was a member of the ‘public at large’ and not a member of a fighter’s team," Jeff Styers, the MCUU chairman, said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal.
"This case is being handled by law enforcement and the commission does not have jurisdiction. Like any incident, if we are presented with further information that would warrant a complaint, the commission will act accordingly.”
“It is unfortunate that an incident such as this took place at the weigh-in of a championship fight. There is no room in our sport for acts such as this. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Bashir for a quick and full recovery which is our chief concern right now.”
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