Ukrainian professional boxer and former Olympic star, born in Odessa, Soviet Union in 1988.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist,
winning in 2008 and
2012 at featherweight and lightweight respectively, and former two-time World Amateur Champion. Generally regarded as one of the greatest amateur fighters of all time, having ended his distinguished career with a record of 396-
1 and
twice avenging a sole defeat.
Turned professional in 2013 and in 2014, in what was only his third bout, defeated
American Gary Russell, Jr. via majority decision to capture the vacant WBO World Featherweight title. In doing so he became only the second boxer to win a world title after just three fights. A seven round destruction of the highly rated and previously undefeated Nicholas Walters followed, subsequently elevating him amongst the world’s leading pound for pound fighters.
Reports of a proposed mega-fight with fellow amateur legend Guillermo Rigondeaux - widely touted as one of the sport’s outstanding matchups - surfaced in
2016, but talks broke down over a suitable catchweight and thus far the fight has yet to be materialise.
