Oleksandr Gvozdyk fights David Benavidez inspired by his fellow Ukrainians

Oleksandr Gvozdyk is fighting for a great cause. The former WBC light heavyweight champion won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics representing Ukraine. He feels he will have his nation behind him when he faces two-time super middleweight champion David Benavidez on Saturday night in a 12-round light heavyweight title fight to join Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin in the main event at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Amazon Prime (8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT).

Gvozdyk, 37, is The Ring’s No.7 ranked lightweight. He has traveled to Ukraine on several occasions since Russia invaded in February 2022. “The Nail,” along with fellow Ukrainian untitled heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF lightweight contender Vasiliy Lomachenko, strongly supported the beleaguered Eastern European nation. Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 knockouts) takes inspiration from his countryman’s plight and wants to give the Ukrainians another chance as Usyk and Lomachenko have achieved victories inside the ring.

“I’ve been there many times (since the start of the war), doing charity work there and helping the Ukrainian army, repairing military trucks and supplying ammunition,” said Gvozdyk, who has a law degree. “It’s bad out there. You have to understand that there are two different realities in Ukraine. In Western Ukraine, you can still see luxury cars and nightclubs operating and people having fun. In the southern part, it is a shame, because the cities are bombed and destroyed. You cannot stay in one place for more than a few minutes. It is a shame that no one seems to be talking about what is happening in Ukraine.

“Ideologically, I think it is important for people to see the Ukrainian flag and know that the Ukrainian people are fighting against the oppressor and we will continue to fight until the end. Ukraine’s success in the ring is an inspiration to the Ukrainian people. It doesn’t give them direct power, but in my country in general, it gives us more hope.

“People need to know that we are still here and we will always be here.”

Gvozdyk was retired three years after his lone loss, a 10-round knockout loss to IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in October 2019. Gvozdyk entered the gambling business, knowing he could not continue and boxing. job while he was associated with the gambling industry, so he retired. Gvozdyk’s comeback plans were hampered by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic followed by the invasion of Russia.

In 2023, he came back and won three straight fights.

You know the truth. No one, except the Ukrainian, feels he can beat the 27-year-old Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs).

“I don’t care what people think, it’s their opinion, but not mine, no problem,” said Gvozdyk. “I feel I can beat him because I believe in myself. I have been training hard and I know what I am capable of. I don’t care what people think. I will make it clear. “

Gvozdyk is coached by Marcos Contreras. He has been training for three months.

“I’ve been in training camp for a long time and I feel good about this fight,” said Gvozdyk. “It was cool away from boxing. I was trying something new. At the same time, when people stop boxing or exercise. This fight will be a test of how hard I have been working, and whether I have been working well. You will see (Saturday night) the best version of me. “