Former WBC Lightweight International Champion Viktor Kotochigov has suffered an ‘acid attack’ while training in the UK ahead of his next fight.
The Kazakh fighter, 28, has described how he was left ‘curling in pain’ after a gang of hooded men burst into his apartment, before throwing an ‘acid-like’ substance over him.
The ex-champion has told his followers on Instagram that he was ready to defend himself, but his assailants had come with no intention to fight.
After the attack, Kotochigov posted images with rashes and burns visible on his face, neck, body and arm.

Former WBC Lightweight International Champion Viktor Kotochigov posted images on his Instagram account showing burns to his face, neck, arm and body after the attack
Kotochigov has won 12 out of 14 fights. He lost the last two. He was in the UK to get ready for his next bout which was scheduled to take place on December 11. He has also been supporting Tursynbay Kulakhmet, his friend who lost to Juan Carlos Abreu on Friday.
However, the attack has turned his plans upside down.
Kotochigov, who is from Kazakhstan and lives in Almaty, stated on Instagram that ‘The England camp wasn’t a lot lucky for me.’ “I flew to England to prepare for the duel scheduled to take place December 11.
I found a room to work out in. It’s been 4 days. I slept at home at night and heard someone trying to open the door.

Kotochigov posted on Instagram that he was training for a fight in the UK on 12/12 and that he was due to fight there.

The Almaty, Kazakhstan-based boxer told his Instagram followers that he was available to fight
“I’m trying to get a knife out of my head, but there’s nothing in the kitchen other than a form and a spoon.
“The door opens, people fly into it, their hoods on their heads.
“I stood up quickly and went to them, but they didn’t intend to fight me and were pouring acid-like substance upon me. I was in pain, and they fled.
December’s fight would have been Kotochigov’s first in the UK. He previously fought and won against Andrejs Podusovs in Bethnal Green.