AS a former WBC and lineal light-heavyweight world champion, who has only lost to elite fighters in the 175lb division, Oleksandr Gvozdyk could hang up the gloves and reflect upon an impressive career with pride.
However, despite being 38 years old, the Ukrainian, 21-2 (17 KOs), is not done yet. Gvozdyk is now set for a second fight in as many months, by confirming an appearance on the Zurdo-Dorticos card.
Achieving a bronze medal at London 2012 alongside the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko, Gvozdyk and the remainder of Ukraine’s golden generation entered the professional ranks with a heap of expectation on their shoulders.
In 2018, still in possession of his undefeated record, ‘The Nail’ delivered the goods, knocking out lineal and long-reigning WBC light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson to claim the coveted green and gold marble.
Yet, Gvozdyk would go on to make only one defence of the strap before suffering his first career defeat. The Ukrainian was ahead on the scorecards when halted by IBF champion Artur Beterbiev in the 10th round of their dramatic 2019 unification showdown.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, Gvozdyk retired from the sport. However, sparring sessions with Canelo Alvarez gave him the belief that he still had enough in the tank. A three-and-a-half-year hiatus was ended during 2023.
Three wins in seven months earned Gvozdyk a shot at David Benavidez last year. Even though ‘The Mexican Monster’ won a unanimous decision, a spirited performance from Gvozdyk was much of the talk during the aftermath. In the buildup, many had expected Gvozdyk to be stopped by Benavidez.
On Saturday, the light-heavyweight veteran bounced back with a third-round stoppage of Anthony Holloway. Speaking exclusively with BNOnline, he revealed that his burning desire to become a two-time champion is still present.
“The idea is to fight the best and get a title shot ASAP. My remaining target is to become a champion again, whoever stays on my path,” he enthused.
Despite this goal, Gvozdyk is more than aware of the difficulty of the task at hand. He admits that the light-heavyweight division could be the strongest in the sport. He also adds that he is open to a move to cruiserweight down the line.
“It’s a very exciting division with a lot of great fighters, definitely the strongest during my career. I would say one of the strongest divisions in boxing now, if not the strongest, with a lot of stars! Yes, [cruiserweight] is an option.”
Gvozdyk signed off by confirming that his pursuit of world honours will continue on Saturday, June 28, against an unnamed opponent. He will appear on the undercard of Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez’s scheduled defence of the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles against Yuniel Dorticos in Anaheim, California.
