"I Saw the Fear in His Eyes": Ahavat Hashem Gordon Speaks Out After Viral Victory Over Turkish Rival

Israeli boxer Ahavat Hashem Gordon received a hero’s welcome at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday afternoon, greeted by a cheering crowd of supporters after his high-profile victory over a Turkish opponent this past Saturday night.

Gordon, known for his devout faith and for wearing a large white kippah, held a press conference at the airport following his technical knockout victory against Turkish fighter Ali Koyuncu.

Reflecting on the atmosphere before the match, Gordon noted that the tension was palpable long before the first bell rang, following pro-Palestinian statements made by Koyuncu. Gordon acknowledged that these remarks turned the match into something much larger than a typical sporting event.

"I didn't remain silent; I answered him in my own way," Gordon stated. "But in the end, I knew the most important thing was to speak in the ring. I’m happy I did that in the best way possible."

"Even before we stepped into the ring, I felt he wasn't calm," Gordon told Israel Hayom. "I saw it in his body language and his eyes. I arrived very focused, quiet, and confident, and he felt that. I knew I was in a strong place mentally, which gave me a significant advantage."

Koyuncu, who surrendered during the match, attempted to explain his defeat on Sunday via Instagram. He claimed that he took a blow to a pre-existing knee injury at the start of the fight, which caused him to lose his balance and ruined his tactical plans.

Gordon, however, celebrated his technical victory with a declaration of faith that has since gone viral among his supporters: "Give thanks to Hashem for He is good; the People of Israel live. I am a soldier of God, without Him, I am nothing."