Less than 48 hours after his emphatic knockout victory in Lithuania, Ahavat Gordon landed in Israel on Monday morning and was welcomed as a national hero.
The Israeli fighter held a special press conference amid widespread excitement over his latest achievement.
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Ahavat Gordon, draped in Israeli flag, welcomed home as national hero
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
“Everything is from G-d,” Gordon said. “Especially since the fight was against a Turkish opponent who is antisemitic, this whole week was crazy. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life. If I had let everything that was happening get into my head, it would have thrown me off balance and I would have stopped this fight.”
Asked about the Turkish rival he defeated, Gordon said: “I always try to avoid bringing politics into sports. The moment he brought it in, there was no turning back. I’m glad I showed the whole world that the people of Israel are strong. It’s incredible and it’s a privilege. I gave strength and showed that a Jewish Israeli can step into the ring wearing a kippah and tzitzit and not hide who he is.”
“Did I receive antisemitic responses about this fight? Yes, absolutely,” he added. “Not only me, but my family also did. I also heard about incidents in the crowd. We’re doing what we need to do, and we’re doing the right thing.”
Watch Gordon's victory
(Courtesy of ONE)
Gordon said the most moving messages he received were from IDF soldiers. “Soldiers who watched the fight in Gaza, it moved me almost to tears,” he said.
“I have nothing more to say to the Turkish opponent. There was anger and everything. I asked him why he wrote what he wrote and told him not to do it again. I do respect him for stepping into the ring because that takes a lot, but beyond that I don’t respect him.”
On Saturday, Gordon knocked out Turkish fighter Ali Koyuncu at the Lithuanian UTMA 17 event, in a bout that drew significant media attention even before it began. The contest was held under Muay Thai rules using MMA gloves, a combination that promised an aggressive, fast-paced fight, which is exactly what it was.
The victory keeps Gordon’s professional record perfect at 11-0, further cementing his status as one of the most prominent talents to emerge from Israel’s combat sports scene in recent years.
“The event stopped being purely professional the moment he attacked me at the face-off,” Gordon said. “It only showed me that I was in control of the event, because a 'barking dog is a frightened dog'.”
In conclusion, Gordon said: “My message to young people who want to succeed is that if you have a dream, don’t let anyone bring you down. Stay focused and believe.”