World Boxing Council Ukraine
{{short description|Sanctioning organization for professional boxing bouts}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = World Boxing Council Ukraine
| image = WBC Ukraine.jpg
| image_border =
| size = 200px
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| abbreviation = WBC Ukraine
| formation = {{start date and age|df=yes|2021||}}
| extinction =
| type = Non-profit institution
| status =
| purpose = Boxing sanctioning organization
| headquarters = Kyiv, Ukraine
| location =
| region_served = Worldwide, Ukraine
| membership =
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Mykola Kovalchuk
| main_organ = General Assembly
| parent_organization = World Boxing Council
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| website = {{URL|wbc-ukraine.com/uk/}}
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The World Boxing Council Ukraine (abbreviated WBC Ukraine) is a public and professional boxing organization that sanctions title fights in Ukraine. It is a member of the world professional boxing governing body World Boxing Council in Ukraine (WBC).{{Cite web |date=2021-08-16 |title=WBC opens office in Ukraine |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-sports/3298347-wbc-opens-office-in-ukraine.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.ukrinform.net |language=en}} The opening of the WBC office in Ukraine took place on August 10, 2021 in Kyiv. Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=Interview with the President of the WBC Ukraine, Mykola Kovalchuk - World Boxing Council |url=https://wbcboxing.com/en/interview-with-the-president-of-the-wbc-ukraine-mykola-kovalchuk/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-12 |title=World Boxing Council open up in Ukraine |url=https://www.globalboxingnews.co.uk/blogs/world-boxing-council-open-up-in-ukraine |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Boxing News Now |language=en}}
History
The idea of establishing the WBC Ukraine office emerged long before its official opening. Following the 56th WBC Convention in Kyiv, hosted and organized by Vitali Klitschko—the only “eternal” WBC Champion in history - the concept was conceived, and the initial steps toward founding WBC Ukraine were taken.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-16 |title=WBC opens office in Ukraine |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-sports/3298347-wbc-opens-office-in-ukraine.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.ukrinform.net |language=en}} At the 57th WBC Convention in Cancun, Mykola Kovalchuk discussed with the organizing team the opening of an office in Ukraine, with the support of the President of the National Professional Boxing League of Ukraine Mykhailo Zavialov and WBC Ambassador Chico Lopez.{{Cite web |title=Николай Ковальчук: Переговоры об открытии в Украине представительства WBC длились три года – новости бокса |url=https://sector.depo.ua/rus/box/mikola-kovalchuk-peremovini-pro-vidkrittya-v-ukraini-predstavnitstva-wbc-trivali-tri-roki-202201111411103 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=www.depo.ua |language=ru}} Mykola Kovalchuk has been selected as the President of World Boxing Council Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-15 |title=MMA & Boxing Worldwide - NY FIGHTS |url=https://nyfights.com/worldwide/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=nyfights.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Champion boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko reportedly takes up arms to defend Ukraine from Russia |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/champion-boxer-vasiliy-lomachenko-reportedly-takes-up-arms-to-defend-ukraine-from-russia-023357744.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK8KynQ8IKrV8oCeRnTwFnOt25a7chWI7CpND19CpfkBEamInQAUuQO0J06q7bLesB737tLNVanNUdP3Z75T6H2oV71u8NjB5KiJ-U4L7uleH4Ns0mombYytN3jNV22PK9aet7KrHp6AoY9Bn2Tg_muoI-7V-eeu-HEPW2oKkAe4 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}
WBC Ukraine activities
The entire WBC Ukraine office team has now focused its efforts on supporting Ukraine during the war and has launched the “WBC Cares Ukraine” Charitable Fund.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-06 |title=Ukraine hopes to prevent soccer team ban – The Ukrainian Weekly |url=https://subscription.ukrweekly.com/2023/01/ukraine-hopes-to-prevent-soccer-team-ban/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=subscription.ukrweekly.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Brian |title=Boxing Champions Klitschko, Usyk And Lomachenko Join Ukraine Defense Force |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianroberts/2022/02/28/ukrainian-boxing-champions-klitschko-usyk-lomachenko-all-join-ukraine-defense-force/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
= WBC Cares Ukraine =
The WBC Ukraine headquarters arranged a visit to hospitals and care centers for orphaned or at-risk children, where they conducted open training sessions and skill-building activities for both boys and girls.{{Cite web |title=BGaming and World Boxing Council launch joint initiative to support Ukraine |url=https://www.gamblinginsider.com/press/15946/bgaming-and-world-boxing-council-launch-joint-initiative-to-support-ukraine |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.gamblinginsider.com |language=en}} Several boxing tournaments were organized throughout Ukraine to help develop young athletes and motivate them to excel in their matches. Each young boxer received special diplomas and medals for their participation, with former world champion and WBC ambassador Oleksandr Gvozdyk personally signing the gloves of the top male and female competitors.{{Cite web |title=WBC Ukraine |url=https://wbc-ukraine.com/en/news/156-the-return-of-oleksandr-the-nail-gvozdyk |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=wbc-ukraine.com}} WBC Cares Ukraine also supported volunteers working in animal shelters. In addition to youth tournaments, boxing competitions were held for cadets from the National University of Ukraine's military unit, with the best athletes being awarded WBC medals and diplomas. To promote peace in Ukraine, and in collaboration with OPUS,{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : Opus' Heavyweight Boxing Sale For Ukraine Charities Hosted by Bonhams |url=https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/34297/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.bonhams.com}} the Luxury Book Company released a special edition of WBC Greatest Fights, which features a collection of the most memorable bouts in WBC history.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Vasiliy Lomachenko has joined the Ukrainian armed forces to fight against Russia |url=https://www.marca.com/en/boxing/2022/02/28/621c679546163f488e8b457f.html#google_vignette |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=MARCA |language=en}}
See also
- World Boxing Council (WBC)
- European Boxing Union (EBU)
References
{{Sports governing bodies in Europe}}
Category:2021 establishments in Ukraine
Category:Professional boxing governing bodies
Category:International sports organizations
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