The World Boxing Council has canceled the scheduled fight between Claressa Shields (9-0) and Ivana Habazin (20-3) for the vacant women’s WBC light middleweight belt.
The reason for the cancelation of the fight is an incident that happened yesterday at the official weigh-in in Michigan, US. Habazin’s coach – James Ali Bashir was hospitalized after suffering head injuries following the weigh-in on Friday. Bashir was arguing with a member of Shields’s team during the official part of the event.
A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life 💪🥇 #jamesalibashir #HEP pic.twitter.com/LQSU1Ce7On
— Ivana Habazin (@IvanaHabazin) August 13, 2018
The altercation has taken place later and according to witnesses reports, Bashir was attacked from behind and the attacker left the building immediately.
“The WBC strongly condemns any act of violence in any event related to our sport, and especially the horrible attack which took place in an official activity surrounding this event.
“The WBC is certain that the corresponding authorities will apply the full extent to the law to this regrettable incident.”
The WBC added: “The WBC will monitor the investigation and resolution of the case, and will then determine if an actionable WBC violation of any WBC Rule, Regulation or Code of Ethics took place.”
Bashir is one of the most respected guys in the game of boxing. In the past, he worked with Wladimir Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk.