Chris Van Heerden announces retirement from boxing
After two years of inactivity, Chris Van Heerden has walked away from boxing – a sport that gave him more than he could ask for.
South Africa’s Van Heerden (28-3-1, 12 KOs) announced his retirement from the sport via his X social media account Wednesday afternoon.
“After much reflection, I have decided to announce my retirement,” Van Heerden wrote. “This decision comes from a deep place of gratitude and introspection, as boxing has given me so much over the years. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to travel the world and compete on international stages.”
While acknowledging the toll exacted by boxing, Van Heerden said he was grateful to be exiting the sport without serious injuries and thanked many of the people who helped him achieve his success.
“Each fight taught me invaluable lessons, and I am proud to say that I spent more time on the winning side than the losing end. My journey was marked by minor battle scars, but I am grateful to walk away with no serious injuries – a testament to the discipline and respect I learned in the ring.”
“Thank you for the support, camaraderie and unforgettable experiences. I will always carry the spirit of boxing with me, and I hope to contribute to the community in new ways moving forward. With heartfelt gratitude.”
Van Heerden’s retirement comes two years after he suffered a second-round TKO defeat to Conor Benn in March 2022. Prior to that loss, Van Heerden had recorded five consecutive wins between 2016 and 2019.
In Dec. 2020, the South African slugged it out with Jaron Ennis, but the fight ended in a no-contest after a clash of heads left Van Heerden with a massive cut atop his forehead. Van Heerden, 37, made his U.S. debut in February 2014 when he retired Cosme Rivera Yocupicio in four rounds.
During his 18-year pro career, Van Heerden held the IBF international and IBO welterweight titles.
“While I acknowledge that I was good, I never claimed to be great. As I step away from this brutal yet beautiful occupation, I take with me the lessons, the friendships and the memories that have shaped me into the man I am today. It is time for me to say farewell, respecting the sport that has given me so much while acknowledging that my journey has reached its natural conclusion.”
Additionally, Van Heerden paid tribute to his late father, whom he said was his motivation.
“However, what truly defined my experience was the bond that boxing created between me and my father. It was our shared passion, and it connected us in a way that I will forever cherish. Losing him left a void in my heart, and with it, the fire that once fueled my passion for the sport has dimmed.”
Chris Van Heerden announces retirement from boxing
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Chris Van Heerden announces retirement from boxing
Chris Van Heerden’s partner faces 15 years in Russian prison
Welterweight boxer Chris Van Heerden fears his girlfriend, Ksenia Karelina, will be locked up for fifteen years in a Russian penal colony.
Ksenia was arrested after arriving in Russia last February, her former home, after being accused of donating to the Ukrainian war fund. The neighbors have been at loggerheads in battle since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Karelina admitted the charge and now faces the full force of Russian law as prosecutors label the donation as treasonous. The amateur ballerina – who holds US citizenship, has been in a relationship with Van Heerden, who also moved to America to pursue his career. The pair had been dating until Ksenia’s trip to Russia.
Upon arrival, Russia’s Federal Security Service [FSB] alleged that Karelina’s donation “was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons, and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces” and put the 33-year-old in prison, where she awaited trial.
The culmination of that stay is expected this week when a final verdict is revealed.
Van Heerden is obviously worried the worst might happen.
“So the prosecutor has asked the judge to sentence Ksenia to fifteen years,” the South African updated on social media. “That is what they are calling for. That is what they are asking for.
“The judge has not made a decision yet. The judge will make a final decision on the 15th of August. This is ridiculous. They keep playing games, is what I feel. It’s upsetting and nerve-wracking, but I can’t imagine what Ksenia is going through. I cannot, for the life of me, put myself in her shoes. But there was no final verdict today [August 8]. Let’s keep praying.”
Since moving to the United States, ‘The Heat’ has shared the ring with high-profile opponents, including Errol Spence Jr. and Jaron Ennis. However, Van Heerden hasn’t fought in two years after losing to Conor Benn in 2022.
Welterweight boxer Chris Van Heerden fears his girlfriend, Ksenia Karelina, will be locked up for fifteen years in a Russian penal colony.
Ksenia was arrested after arriving in Russia last February, her former home, after being accused of donating to the Ukrainian war fund. The neighbors have been at loggerheads in battle since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Karelina admitted the charge and now faces the full force of Russian law as prosecutors label the donation as treasonous. The amateur ballerina – who holds US citizenship, has been in a relationship with Van Heerden, who also moved to America to pursue his career. The pair had been dating until Ksenia’s trip to Russia.
Upon arrival, Russia’s Federal Security Service [FSB] alleged that Karelina’s donation “was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons, and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces” and put the 33-year-old in prison, where she awaited trial.
The culmination of that stay is expected this week when a final verdict is revealed.
Van Heerden is obviously worried the worst might happen.
“So the prosecutor has asked the judge to sentence Ksenia to fifteen years,” the South African updated on social media. “That is what they are calling for. That is what they are asking for.
“The judge has not made a decision yet. The judge will make a final decision on the 15th of August. This is ridiculous. They keep playing games, is what I feel. It’s upsetting and nerve-wracking, but I can’t imagine what Ksenia is going through. I cannot, for the life of me, put myself in her shoes. But there was no final verdict today [August 8]. Let’s keep praying.”
Since moving to the United States, ‘The Heat’ has shared the ring with high-profile opponents, including Errol Spence Jr. and Jaron Ennis. However, Van Heerden hasn’t fought in two years after losing to Conor Benn in 2022.
Re: Chris Van Heerden announces retirement from boxing
Remember when Conor tried to pull one of his fast ones with Dana and claim he battered "that boxer" in sparring, showing some clips of Conor on the offensive, but Van Heerden released the whole video and it was a decent spar but Van Heerden was making McGregor miss badly and was treating it as professional spar work with a partner, not a fight, coasting pretty much. It's all about perception before reality
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Lenny Cravats
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Re: Chris Van Heerden announces retirement from boxing
Looks like his girlfriend received a 12 year sentence for a donation of $50.
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Re: Chris Van Heerden announces retirement from boxing
Damn!Lenny Cravats wrote: ↑31 Aug 2024, 03:54 Looks like his girlfriend received a 12 year sentence for a donation of $50.
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Re: Chris Van Heerden announces retirement from boxing
Chris Van Heerden’s girlfriend Ksenia freed by Russia
Chris Van Heerden’s girlfriend, US citizen Ksenia Karelina, has been released from a Russian penal colony a year into a twelve-year sentence.
Karelina, 34, pleaded guilty to treason after giving $50 to a charity supporting Ukraine, which Russia argued was used for “the purchase of tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Those charges were never proven despite Karelina, a former ballerina, pleading guilty in February 2024. The Russian-American, who was visiting family when she touched down in her homeland, was initially arrested after officers searched her phone.
Ksenia’s attorney, Mikhail Mushailov, has revealed details of her journey back to the United States via the Middle East.
Van Heerden, a former IBO welterweight champion who retired to focus on helping Ksenia, had never stopped raising awareness.
Now, after a long fight, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump had orchestrated Ksenia’s release with Vladimir Putin.
Rubio said Ksenia “was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year. President Trump secured her exoneration and will continue to work for the release of all Americans.”
Ksenia and Van Heerden, who reside in Los Angeles, can now be reunited after she was released as part of a prisoner swap. Last year, Ksenia was jailed for 12 years at court hearings held in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The prosecution claimed Ksenia’s donation funded weapons and ammunition used against Russia to aid Ukraine in their fight against the ongoing war.
Van Heerden, a friend of World Boxing News for years, had met and fallen in love with Karelina before the shocking events occurred.
‘The Heat’ confirmed he would hang up his gloves hours after Ksenia was sentenced. The 37-year-old, who turns 38 in June, has not confirmed whether he will fight again following Ksenia’s release.
‘The Heat’ said, “While I acknowledge that I was good, I never claimed to be great. However, what truly defined my experience was the bond that boxing created between me and my father. It was our shared passion, and it connected us in a way that I will forever cherish. Losing him left a void in my heart; with it, the fire that once fueled my passion for the sport has dimmed.
“As I step away from this brutal yet beautiful occupation, I take with me the lessons, the friendships, and the memories that have shaped me into the man I am today. It is time for me to say farewell, respecting the sport that has given me so much while acknowledging that my journey has reached its natural conclusion.”
Karelina’s case was held in the same court as Evan Gershkovich, a journalist accused of espionage, for whom the US also secured the release under former President Joe Biden.
Chris Van Heerden’s girlfriend, US citizen Ksenia Karelina, has been released from a Russian penal colony a year into a twelve-year sentence.
Karelina, 34, pleaded guilty to treason after giving $50 to a charity supporting Ukraine, which Russia argued was used for “the purchase of tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Those charges were never proven despite Karelina, a former ballerina, pleading guilty in February 2024. The Russian-American, who was visiting family when she touched down in her homeland, was initially arrested after officers searched her phone.
Ksenia’s attorney, Mikhail Mushailov, has revealed details of her journey back to the United States via the Middle East.
Van Heerden, a former IBO welterweight champion who retired to focus on helping Ksenia, had never stopped raising awareness.
Now, after a long fight, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump had orchestrated Ksenia’s release with Vladimir Putin.
Rubio said Ksenia “was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year. President Trump secured her exoneration and will continue to work for the release of all Americans.”
Ksenia and Van Heerden, who reside in Los Angeles, can now be reunited after she was released as part of a prisoner swap. Last year, Ksenia was jailed for 12 years at court hearings held in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The prosecution claimed Ksenia’s donation funded weapons and ammunition used against Russia to aid Ukraine in their fight against the ongoing war.
Van Heerden, a friend of World Boxing News for years, had met and fallen in love with Karelina before the shocking events occurred.
‘The Heat’ confirmed he would hang up his gloves hours after Ksenia was sentenced. The 37-year-old, who turns 38 in June, has not confirmed whether he will fight again following Ksenia’s release.
‘The Heat’ said, “While I acknowledge that I was good, I never claimed to be great. However, what truly defined my experience was the bond that boxing created between me and my father. It was our shared passion, and it connected us in a way that I will forever cherish. Losing him left a void in my heart; with it, the fire that once fueled my passion for the sport has dimmed.
“As I step away from this brutal yet beautiful occupation, I take with me the lessons, the friendships, and the memories that have shaped me into the man I am today. It is time for me to say farewell, respecting the sport that has given me so much while acknowledging that my journey has reached its natural conclusion.”
Karelina’s case was held in the same court as Evan Gershkovich, a journalist accused of espionage, for whom the US also secured the release under former President Joe Biden.