In an interview with Ararat TV, the world and European youth boxing champion Erik Israelyan stated that he regrets his actions and asked to be given the opportunity to participate in the European Championship to be held in Baku as part of the Armenian national team. Israelyan apologized to the President of the Boxing Federation of Armenia Hovhannes Hovsepyan, as well as to the Deputy Minister of KGMS Karen Giloyan. “I was influenced by some people. I’m wrong too, I was hot. I appeal to Hovhannes Hovsepyan and Karen Giloyan to be lenient. Karen Giloyan did not deceive me, I misunderstood. I’m human too, I can make mistakes. Please allow me to participate in the European Championship in Baku. I promise that together with them I will raise the Armenian flag in Baku and uphold the name of our country,” said Erik Israelyan.
Let’s remind that at the beginning of this year, the boxer made a sensational statement. “My dear Armenian nation, I want to inform you once again that in 2022 I became European and world champion. Armenia did not have a world champion in boxing for 13 years, and I became a world champion. They have not done anything for my titles until today. I have always wanted to raise the flag of my Armenian nation and sing the anthem. It’s just that I’m human too, you shouldn’t treat a champion like that. I renounce the citizenship of the Republic of Armenia and go abroad, I will fight there. Remember my name and surname.’ The boxer also mentioned that Karen Giloyan, the deputy minister of KGSMS, promised to help him get an apartment, but he did not fulfill the promise. According to Israilyan, Giloyan offered him not to make a fuss, assuring him that KGMS would provide financial support. In response to this statement, Giloyan in turn stated: “We agreed that I will accept him and the monthly allowance and nominal pension provided to him will be transferred to the payment of the house mortgage at once, all that was left was for him to solve the issue of advance payment. Everything was to his liking, he was very happy and very grateful. I was in daily contact, helped and supported as much as I could until the moment when he said that he could not pay the advance payment… it was about 4.5 million drams. I asked him what he did with the money he received, and he said, “What should I live on?” It should be noted that a number of opposition figures supported and encouraged Israelyan in a tense and unpleasant situation. Some tried to use Israelyan’s so-called démarche for political interests, against the authorities and finally against the state. As a result of this, the Government, in its July 6 meeting, decided to stop the deferment given earlier to Erik Israelyan for his significant achievements in the field of sports.
The basis for the decision was the May 4 letter of the “Boxing Federation of the Republic of Armenia”, where it was noted that Erik Arami Israelyan is not a member of the Armenian boxing team. Yes, as Israelyan stated, the talented boxer fell under the influence of some people and became a victim of the conspiratorial struggle against the state. To the question whether the reason for regret is the loss of the deferment, Israilyan gave a negative answer. “The reason for my decision is that I want to participate in the European Championship in Baku and fly the Armenian tricolor. I don’t want to miss the chance because I’m in good shape and I know I can do it.”
It is perhaps welcome that the Armenian boxer eventually realized and understood that there are high values that are simply unacceptable to go against. Israelyan realized and understood that the key to success in big sports is to love and respect one’s country. Now the ball is in the field of the Boxing Federation and KGMS. It is difficult to say what decision these structures will make. We think it would be right for the boxing federation to give Israelyan a chance to return to the national team. After all, there are no infallible people. Israelyan realized his mistake, which is the most important thing.
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