Vitali Klitschko’s rising political career may or may not be good for Ukraine, but it definitely will be bad for sports.
Dr. Ironfist, as the 41-year-old world heavyweight boxing champion is known, has yet to announce his retirement from the ring after 45 wins and two losses. He is one of the most beloved star athletes to ever grace the Ukrainian sporting scene, and his departure would leave his brother Vladimir alone at the top.
But fear not boxing fans. A new generation of Ukrainian boxers, some of whom shone during last year’s Olympic Games and world championships, is rising fast.
Vasyl Lomachenko, a native of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, a small town in Odesa Oblast, is only 24. But the southpaw is considered one of the world’s best amateur fighters. The lightweight talent already has two Olympic gold medals and two world titles to his name.
“I don’t feel like a superstar,” Lomachenko told the Kyiv Post. “I objectively demonstrate the fighting that I like and I am good at.”
His energetic manner is a crowd pleaser and has attracted the attention of promoters.
“He is very strong physically. He runs 50-kilometer cross-country races, swims for four hours in the swimming pool. Competitors can’t tire him out,” Oleksandr Kryzhanovsky, president of Odesa Oblast Boxing Federation, said. “Lomachenko boxes very economically. No unnecessary motion, only high speed and his fantastic physical condition.”
Lomachenko bears a tattoo portrait of his father and longtime coach Anatoly Lomachenko. “He is my idol,” Lomachenko Jr. said.
The Lomachenkos have been inundated with offers from promoters since Vasyl’s gold medal-winning performance at the 2008 Beijing Games. But he hasn’t decided whether to leave the amateur ranks yet.
“I have grandiose plans but I don’t know what will come out,” Lomachenko said. “I will choose myself, though my father’s wise advice is always of primary importance to me.”
Lomachenko’s close friend and teammate Oleksandr Usyk, a 26-year-old heavyweight from Simferopol, also gained prominence after winning his first gold at the London Games and last year’s world championship.
celebrates victory over Filipino Charly Suarez of Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder in the lightweight match in the World Series of Boxing in Kyiv on Feb. 8.
Born on Jan. 17, like his idol Muhammad Ali, Usyk is known for his showmanship. And that is what crowds really enjoy. Among boxers, the 6-foot-3 Usyk is known as a brainy, cold-blooded, calculating fighter.
“Usyk defeats his contenders because of his high speed. There are few heavyweights speedy enough to catch up with him,” Vasyl Lomachenko said.
The bruiser also conquered hearts in Ukraine through his cultivation of Kozak traditions, wearing a traditional Kozak haircut called the chub (a long lock of hair on an otherwise shaved head), entering the ring to the sound of folklore songs and celebrating his victories with a hopak, a Ukrainian jig.
Advertisers have followed his rising popularity closely.
Many hope that Usyk will be the one to pick up the baton from the Klitschko brothers. When asked about this, he objected with calm confidence by saying he wouldn’t replace anyone but would simply “take the place he is supposed to have.”
Usyk is certain Ukraine will hold its own in boxing because of its talented coaches and hungry fighters. “Boxing is the sport of poor men who want to break out, give a good account of themselves and make a lot of money,” Usyk said.
The nation has a lot of cream to skim.
After their triumphant Olympic performances, Lomachenko and Usyk joined the World Series of Boxing, launched by the governing body of the amateur sport. Teams from different countries include the world’s top amateurs. But in this league, boxers don’t wear headgear or vests. They get paid, but retain their Olympic eligibility.
class in a light heavyweight bout on Feb. 8 with Lithuanian Vitaljius Subacius of Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder.
Besides Lomachenko and Usyk, the 21-strong Ukraine Otamans include a tough trio from Ukraine’s Olympic boxing team, namely silver medal winner Denys Berinchyk (light welterweight), and bronze medalists Taras Shelestyuk (welterweight) and Oleksandr Gvozdyk (light heavyweight).
Dmytro Gaistruk, manager of the Ukrainian team, says the federation counts on the rise of popularity of boxing. “The federation is sure there are new stars of boxing in Ukraine,” Gaistruk said.
The Otamans lost in their debut fight against the Astana Arlans of Kazakhstan on Nov. 17. The team then lost three matches, although Olympics medalists Lomachenko, Usyk and Gvozdyk defeated their opponents from the British Lionhearts, contributing to the Otamans’ second victory in Kyiv on Jan. 11. Lomachenko and Gvozdyk also too part in defeating Italy Thunder in Kyiv on Feb. 8.
“Lomachenko’s success is a stimulus for his teammates,” Gaistruk said. “He has already done better than Vladimir Klitschko in amateur boxing. This fighter leads the team and motivates other guys.”
Lomachenko still prefers to stay with the national federation and amateur boxing, but doesn’t know for how long. He and his medal-winning teammates are confident Ukraine will benefit from their victories.
“When we win we glorify Ukraine,” Usyuk said. “We bring fame to our country, coaches, parents and families.”
Kyiv Post staff writer Denis Rafalsky can be reached at [email protected]
