Mykhailo ZAVYALOV: "We know how to train boxers but not how to promote them" 

"Ordinary boxing fan knows about the Klychko brothers' success. But it turns out that there are champions of Europe and the World in other professional boxing categories living in Ukraine. Why don't we know about them?"

"Of course, the heavyweight and super heavyweight categories are the most prestigious in our sport. The whole world knows Muhammad Ali, Foreman, Tyson, Lewis, and only experts know about the so-called baby champions. So the appearance in Ukraine of the two brilliant boxers, able to challenge foreign masters, could not be unnoticed. We need to pay tribute to Klychko promoter Klaus Peter Kohl, who has given them very successful exposure. Our domestic promoters lack adequate experience for this yet."

"Meanwhile Ukrainian boxers are well known in the West."

"We have already received a number of offers from England, Italy, Germany, and France for bouts with our boxers. They have managed to make themselves a name in the relatively short period they spent in professional boxing. Serhiy Divakov knocked out multiple continental champion Oliver Spencer of Britain; Viktor Fesechko became the Champion of Africa; Kostiantyn Okhrei of Kramatorsk has had several successful fights in the international ring; Oleksandr Hurov became the Champion of Europe twice."

"As far as I know, you have an offer in your pocket to fight for the title of Balkan Countries Champion."

"Spas Spassov of Bulgaria, who presently possesses this title, wants to meet with super heavyweight Yuri Yelistratov of Ukraine. You will agree that this idea is attractive. I turned for assistance to People's Deputy Ukraine Stanislav Sofronov, a boxing master and winner of numerous USSR and international tournaments. The point is that in cooperation with ex-world champion and now rector of Dnipropetrovsk Academy of Sports and Physical Culture Viktor Savchenko, in 1994 he organized in Dnipropetrovsk the fight where Andriy Syniepupov became world champion in professional boxing for the first time. The idea to conduct a fight between Spassov and Yelistratov in Dnipropetrovsk, the city of sports, where people work hard and know how to have fun, emerged this way. Mayor Vasyl Shvets immediately supported us."

"Could you say a few words about the Balkan championship contenders?"

"The Bulgarian is a very powerful athlete. He has a knockout right. To his credit he has brilliant victories over strong boxers from Yugoslavia, Romania, and Greece. Yuri was a member of USSR national team and fought the American team. He prefers thick offensive actions. By the way, to his credit he has a victory over Vitaly Klychko. What other recommendations do we need?"

"Of course, the place where the fight will be conducted is known."

"Let me correct you. There will be several fights. In addition to the final bout, there are also rating fights on the program. Viktor Fesechko of Kirovohrad and Rakhim Minhalieyev of Kyiv will be in the ring; Vitaly Kopytko will defend his title of CIS champion. Vadim Avdeyenko of Russia and twice champion of Europe Oleksandr Hurov of Mariupol."

"So there will be no time to get bored?"

"The hosts are preparing a brilliant show. "

"What else will the new season hold in store for professional boxing fans?"

"We plan that in March-April Kopytko will fight for the World Championship in Ivano-Frankivsk. There is also an idea to organize an absolute championship of Ukraine, in which the strongest professional boxers in the heavyweight and super heavyweight categories would take part. The time is long ripe for accustoming boxing fans to become aware that there are super class athletes in our country."

"How many of them do we have, if this is not a secret?"

"About thirty. And each could become a champion."