Ukrainian boxer from Donbas beats Russian champion

“I think I made you happy with my spectacular boxing,” Berinchyk said after the fight.

“My opponent was very worthy and it wasn’t easy for me. I had to do some very serious training.”

With the win, Berynchik held onto his WBO International lightweight champion’s title.

Chinaiiev was the third challenger for the Ukrainian’s title this year. Before him, in March, Berinchyk knocked out Chilean boxer Jose Sanchez, and in July, he defeated another Russian boxer – Artem Lobov.

At a press conference prior to the fight, Berynchik was asked about his opinion on the war in the Donbas.

“Is there a war between Ukraine and Russia? I’m from Luhansk Oblast, and the war is there, on my land,” the Ukrainian boxer said.

“I’d love for sport to stay out of politics, but there are certain issues,” he went on, adding that his hometown of Krasnodon is Ukrainian, and supports Ukraine, but the people there are held hostage by the occupation.