Oleksandr Gvozdyk, a former WBC and lineal light-heavyweight world champion with an impressive record of 21 wins (17 by knockout) against just 2 defeats, could arguably feel content with his career achievements and consider retirement. However, at the age of 38, the skilled Ukrainian fighter is clearly not ready to hang up his gloves yet.
A bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, where he competed alongside future stars like Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko, Gvozdyk was a prominent member of Ukraine`s highly-rated `golden generation` of boxers who transitioned to the professional ranks with considerable expectations.
In 2018, while still holding an undefeated record, `The Nail` delivered on that promise, achieving a significant knockout victory over the long-reigning lineal and WBC light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson to capture the coveted green and gold belt.
However, his time as champion was brief. After only one successful title defense, Gvozdyk suffered his first professional loss. In a dramatic 2019 unification bout against IBF champion Artur Beterbiev, Gvozdyk was stopped in the 10th round, despite being ahead on the judges` scorecards at the time.
Following the global Covid-19 pandemic, Gvozdyk initially retired from the sport. Nevertheless, sparring sessions with superstar Saul `Canelo` Alvarez reignited his confidence and belief that he could still compete at the highest level. This conviction led to his return to boxing in 2023 after a hiatus of three and a half years.
He quickly racked up three wins within seven months, which earned him a high-profile fight against David Benavidez last year. While he ultimately lost the fight via a unanimous decision, Gvozdyk delivered a spirited performance that was widely discussed afterwards, particularly given that many predicted Benavidez would stop him inside the distance.
Just recently, the veteran light-heavyweight fighter secured a bounce-back victory with a third-round stoppage of Anthony Holloway. He shared that his burning ambition to become a two-time world champion remains his primary driving force. “The idea is to fight the best and get a title shot ASAP,” he stated. “My remaining target is to become a champion again, whoever stays on my path.”
Despite his clear goal, Gvozdyk is fully aware of the immense challenge presented by the current light-heavyweight division, which he considers perhaps the strongest in boxing today. He also indicated that a potential move up to the cruiserweight division could be an option later in his career. “It’s a very exciting division with a lot of great fighters, definitely the strongest during my career,” he commented. “I would say one of the strongest divisions in boxing now, if not the strongest, with a lot of stars! Yes, [cruiserweight] is an option.”
Gvozdyk concluded by confirming that his pursuit of another world title opportunity will continue on Saturday, June 28th. He is scheduled to fight on the undercard of Gilberto `Zurdo` Ramirez`s defense of his WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles against Yuniel Dorticos in Anaheim, California. His opponent for this upcoming bout is yet to be announced.
