“We reluctantly agreed for David Khachatryan to act under the Russian flag. To take care of the son, David’s family had to leave for Russia and was a bodyguard for a rich man. Martial arts is not an Olympic sport game, therefore I would not consider ethical to turn to the President of NOC (National Olympic Committee) of Armenia. Anyway, Gagik Tsarukyan had donated David Khachatryan a car for winning the Azeri opponent in the world championship, and has awarded a Champions pension of 300 thousand drams per month for properly prepared in the next fight, for which we are very grateful to him.
Now, the Russians are granting the Armenian world champion a two-bedroom apartment in Russian city of Rostov, where there is one of their ProFc (Professional Fighting Championship) centers. After the fight with the Turkish wrestler in Yaroslavl, we will leave for Rostov to sign a contract. We already know that they will be giving an Audi make car to him. According to the preliminary contract, Russians had offered him $ 5,000 a month salary, plus honorariums from each fight, and organizing trainings in any country of the world without any problem. Anyway, we turned down the offer. Now, they had said that after arriving in Rostov, there are surprises waiting for us. As to what surprises, we do not know. I must say that Russia ProFc is buying David on the condition that I will accompany him as a personal coach. In other words, the contract will be signed with two of us at the same time. Frankly speaking, I cannot imagine how I will be holding other country’s flag at the time of victories. No, I will not do this kind of things. Let others hold it.” To the question of whether it is possible for them to refuse if Armenia by that time comes up with some offers, Hayk Ghukasyan responded, “It is too late for David, we have already given our final consent. But, I hope that our newly appointed Minister Gabriel Ghazaryan, who is well aware of the activities of our Federation, and I think, he knows that many of our boys are already breathing in the back of David Khachatryan, and tomorrow they can fully substitute him under the flag of Armenia, will be engaged in our problems, as well.”
Ashot HAKOBYAN
