Oleksandr Gvozdyk held the WBC gentle heavyweight title till his loss to Artur Beterbiev in 2019. (Picture by Amanda Westcott/Showtime)
Oleksandr Gvozdyk fights for a better trigger. The previous WBC gentle heavyweight titlist received a bronze medal within the 2012 London Olympics representing Ukraine. He feels he could have his dwelling nation behind him when he faces former two-time tremendous middleweight titlist David Benavidez this Saturday evening in a 12-round gentle heavyweight bout to co-feature the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin principal occasion on the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, on Amazon Prime (8:00 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
Gvozdyk, 37, is The Ring’s No.7 rated light-weight heavyweight. He has been to Ukraine just a few occasions since Russia attacked it in February 2022. “The Nail,” together with fellow Ukrainians undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF light-weight titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko, is staunchly supporting the beleaguered Japanese European nation. Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 knockouts) derives motivation from his dwelling nation’s plight and needs to present Ukrainians one other enhance as Usyk and Lomachenko have with their victories contained in the ring.
“I’ve been there a variety of occasions (since battle broke out), doing charitable stuff there and serving to the Ukrainian navy, fixing navy vehicles and offering ammunition,” mentioned Gvozdyk, who possesses a legislation diploma. “It’s dangerous over there. You must perceive there are two totally different realities in Ukraine. In Western Ukraine, you continue to see tremendous flashy vehicles and the evening golf equipment are working and individuals are having enjoyable. Within the southern half, it’s a disgrace, as a result of cities are being bombed and destroyed. You can not keep in the identical place various minutes. It’s a disgrace that nobody it appears is speaking about what’s going on in Ukraine anymore.
“Mentally, I feel it will be important for individuals to see the Ukrainian flag and know the Ukrainians are combating towards an aggressor and we’ll preserve combating till the top. Ukrainian success within the ring is motivation for Ukrainians. It doesn’t give them direct energy, however for my nation usually, it provides us extra hope.
“Individuals have to know we nonetheless exist and can at all times exist.”
Gvozdyk took a three-year layoff after his lone loss, a 10-round stoppage defeat in a unification with IBF/WBC/WBO gentle heavyweight titlist Artur Beterbiev in October 2019. Gvozdyk ventured right into a playing firm, understanding he couldn’t proceed his boxing profession whereas related to the playing trade, so he retired. Gvozdyk’s comeback intentions have been stymied by the succession of the COVID-19 pandemic adopted by the Russian invasion.
In 2023, he got here again and received three-straight fights.
He is aware of the truth. Hardly anybody, apart from Ukraine, feels he can beat the 27-year-old Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs).
“I don’t care what individuals assume, it’s their opinion, however not mine, no downside,” Gvozdyk mentioned. “I really feel I can beat him as a result of I imagine in myself. I’ve been coaching onerous and I do know what I’m able to. I don’t care what individuals assume. I’ll determine it out. “
Gvozdyk is being skilled by Marcos Contreras. He has been coaching for 3 months.
“I’ve been in coaching camp for a very long time and I really feel superior for this struggle,” Gvozdyk mentioned. “It was cool away from boxing. I used to be attempting one thing new. On the identical time, when individuals give up boxing or exercising. This struggle might be an examination on how onerous I used to be working, and if I used to be working proper. You will note (on Saturday evening) one of the best model of myself.”
Joseph Santoliquito is a Corridor of Fame, award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Comply with @JSantoliquito
