Ukrainian boxer from Donbas beats Russian champion
World Boxing Organization International Lightweight Champion Denys Berinchyk, from the town of Krasnodon in non-government-controlled Luhansk Oblast, described champion Russian boxer Isa Chinaiiev as a “very worthy adversary” after beating him in a close-fought match on Dec. 18.
“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.
“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.
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