Despite the war conflicts, Ukrainian boxing refuses to disappear. Therefore, they held a boxing event at the subway train station, Zakhysnykiv Ukrainy, located specifically in the city of Kharkov, in the east of the country. 

The Minister of Youth and Sport of Ukraine informed that the boxing event was held at the station for safety and security reasons for all citizens. He also said that more than 40 sports facilities in the city had been destroyed. 

Several boxing figures from the European nation commented that their discipline has become the most popular sport in the country during the war. Despite the boxers who have died during the conflict.

One example is Ukrainian prospect, Maksym Galinichev, who was just 22 years old and had already achieved a medal at the Youth Olympic Games, Buenos Aires 2018. He was considered the face of his country’s sport in the run-up to Paris 2024 and was killed earlier this year.      

The boxing card 

The event “Heroes of the Defense of Kharkov” was attended by hundreds of fans, who were eager to see the fights in the ring again in their country. 

Several members of the Ukrainian national team, who returned to the ring after over a year of conflict, took part in the event. Some young and veteran soldiers were also present in the ring.

Ukrainian boxing 

The emblematic exponents of Ukrainian boxing, such as world champions Vasayl Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk, also joined the battle front, forming part of the troops and supporting their country at a critical moment in its history. 

Likewise, they received permission to leave the country, continue their careers and prepare for their next challenges. Usyk was in negotiations with Tyson Fury but they did not reach an agreement and he is expected to return at the end of the year.  

In Lomachenko’s case he will face Devin Haney this weekend at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for all the lightweight belts.