Former champ Oleksandr Gvozdyk retires from boxing at 33

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oleksandr Gvozdyk, a former Olympic bronze medalist and WBC light heavyweight titleholder in the pro ranks, has decided to retire from boxing at the age of 33, ESPN reports.

Manager Egis Klimas tells ESPN that Gvozdyk has decided to give himself fully to “business opportunities.”

The Ukrainian fighter won bronze at London 2012 and fought in the World Series of Boxing from 2011-13, going 9-0 in that competition. He turned pro with Top Rank in 2014, and by 2016-17 was beating the likes of Tommy Karpency, Isaac Chilemba, Yunieski Gonzalez, and Craig Baker, all by stoppage.

He got his first world title fight in Dec. 2018, going on the road in Quebec City to face long-reigning WBC titlist Adonis Stevenson. Gvozdyk, working with trainer Teddy Atlas, was trailing on two of three official cards going into the 11th round, when he scored a knockout win. Stevenson was badly injured, and though he’s seemingly recovered to a degree, he’ll never box again.

An odd title defense over Doudou Ngumbu followed in Mar. 2019, before a unification fight last October against IBF titleholder Artur Beterbiev. Gvozdyk and Beterbiev made for a great style clash on paper, and delivered a very good, highly competitive fight, but Beterbiev’s relentless pressure broke Gvozdyk down in the 10th round. Gvozdyk went down three times and the fight was stopped.

It appears that will be the last fight of Gvozdyk’s career. It’s boxing and he’s not an old man or too badly hurt to get a license, so obviously he could fight again — we’ve seen a million retirements not stick, after all — but if he doesn’t fight again, he’ll leave a pro record of 17-1 (14 KO).

If this really is it for Gvozdyk, we join promoter Bob Arum and former trainer Teddy Atlas in wishing him all the best, and saying happy trails to him for his post-boxing life.

[Ruthless-RKO]

His manager, Egis Klimas, told ESPN that Gvozdyk (17-1, 14 KOs) was stepping away from the ring to pursue business opportunities.

"He's a very smart guy, so he thinks it's going to be inconvenient for him to do that kind of business and box at the same time," Klimas said on Tuesday afternoon. "So he needs to give himself 100% to boxing or business. So he decided to do that."

Klimas insists that Gvozdyk's decision had nothing to do with his 10th-round stoppage loss to Artur Beterbiev last October in what was a unification clash.

"Actually, what kept him from moving away from boxing, that motivation to go back into the ring, was Beterbiev," Klimas explained. "That was the only one holding him because he wanted to get that rematch. There might be a possibility that someone will get him a rematch, he might change his mind."

"All you need to know is that I wasn't planning on coming back [to train], just like I wasn't with Timmy Bradley at the time. I only did it because of the kind of human being that he was -- same as Timmy," said Atlas, who spoke with Gvozdyk about his decision on Monday.

"Obviously he was a tremendous fighter, a bronze medalist, won a world title. But again, it starts with me, my decision to train him, it was all based on visiting him for a few days and seeing the kind of person, the father, husband and man that he was."

Atlas says of Gvozdyk's effort versus Stevenson, "He fought just about as perfect a strategic fight as one could." Adding, "He showed everything you need to have to become a world champion in that one fight."

Gvozdyk was promoted by Top Rank throughout his professional career.

"It's been a pleasure for us to have promoted Oleksandr Gvozdyk, who not only proved himself to be a great fighter, but is also one of the most highly intelligent boxers that we have had the pleasure of promoting," said Bob Arum of Top Rank. "Thankfully we worked well together with him and lead him to a world championship.

"He's now bound and determined to pursue a business career, and a very important business opportunity. We know he will succeed because of his ability, character and perseverance. Everybody at Top Rank wishes him the greatest good fortune in his next career."

[Counter-puncher]

It’s great to hear a genuine success story here. Retiring at the right time with faculties intact and some future outside boxing. It’s sad to me that this is so rare in boxing. Boxing is a cruel game.

lets hope so, he certainly doesn't seem like one of those who fought 3,4,5 times after he should have packed it in

[THEBUTCH]

I can't help but think a brutal pummeling by the fists of Beterbiev would encourage anyone to pursue other options

[cormack]

I can't help but think a brutal pummeling by the fists of Beterbiev would encourage anyone to pursue other options

well he gave plenty in his other fights including some KO `s so surely its not just that .

[margaret thatcher]

He took a bad beat down from Bert (bbb). Broken phsyically and mentally after giving his all.

Maybe after that, and at 33, having already won a world title, he thought it was a good time to get out still presumably with health. Can see it being a factor tbh.

[brilo33]

right time for it, mentally that fight with steveson fishshed him, we saw only half a Gvozdyk against beterbiev i think

[Delta Jay]

I remember as soon as the bell went for the start of Bert vs. Gvoz I thought “Gvozdyk looks really nervy” he seemed a bit shaky and gun shy. I’m not criticising at all, maybe something had already left him.

Glad to see he got in and got out. Sure he lives in Canada now, he could have a very nice life there.

Was he trained as an amateur by Anatoly and then found another trainer as soon as he turned pro?

[brilo33]

I remember as soon as the bell went for the start of Bert vs. Gvoz I thought “Gvozdyk looks really nervy” he seemed a bit shaky and gun shy. I’m not criticising at all, maybe something had already left him.

Glad to see he got in and got out. Sure he lives in Canada now, he could have a very nice life there.

Was he trained as an amateur by Anatoly and then found another trainer as soon as he turned pro?

also remember Teddy Atlas keep trying rocky speaches on him in corner , because he looked flat from the of, shame

[Delta Jay]

I remember as soon as the bell went for the start of Bert vs. Gvoz I thought “Gvozdyk looks really nervy” he seemed a bit shaky and gun shy. I’m not criticising at all, maybe something had already left him.

Glad to see he got in and got out. Sure he lives in Canada now, he could have a very nice life there.

Was he trained as an amateur by Anatoly and then found another trainer as soon as he turned pro?

also remember Teddy Atlas keep trying rocky speaches on him in corner , because he looked flat from the of, shame

Imagine you’re getting beat up by Artur Berterbiev and between rounds you have to listen to Teddy Atlas talk like that

[dookus]

also remember Teddy Atlas keep trying rocky speaches on him in corner , because he looked flat from the of, shame

Imagine you’re getting beat up by Artur Berterbiev and between rounds you have to listen to Teddy Atlas talk like that

[THEBUTCH]

Beterbiev v Gvosdyk was one the fights of 2019 for my money. I've watched it a few times and everytime Oleksander looks bang up for the fight IMO. I admit that I think Beterbiev is a fabulous boxer, but Gvosdyk came for the win and until Beterbiev really got the fight by the scruff of the neck, Oleksander was in the fight offering as much competition as he could.