The World Boxing Association (WBA) has released its updated rankings of the top boxers according to its own version, and among the key changes is the debut of Ukrainian Olympic champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the elite of the super middleweight division. Winning his first title in his professional career allowed the 29-year-old fighter to enter the world top 15 of the division up to 79.4 kg for the first time in his professional career, where he closes out the list in 15th place. This was reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the organization's official website.
Title Triumph in Lviv: Palacio Could Not Withstand the Pressure
The foundation for entering the world ranking was laid in August in Lviv, where Khyzhniak fought his third professional bout and immediately stepped into a title fight. His opponent was the experienced Argentine Durval Elias Palacio, and at stake was the WBA Gold International belt in the super middleweight division. The Ukrainian won by unanimous decision, demonstrating confident control over the course of the fight and earning the scorecards of all three judges. This triumph became not only Khyzhniak's first professional title, but also confirmation that his Olympic mastery in the up-to-81 kg category is successfully translating onto the professional ring.
Third Win in Three Fights: A Flawless Career Start
Following the August boxing evening, Oleksandr Khyzhniak has three wins in three professional bouts, with no losses. For a boxer who transitioned from the amateur division, where he became an Olympic champion, such a result testifies to sound tactical preparation and adaptation to the rules of professional boxing. It was precisely the flawless record combined with the winning of the WBA Gold International title that became the criterion by which the association's ranking panel included the Ukrainian in the main world list, rather than in the regional or international sub-tables.
Viktor Vikhryst: The Second Ukrainian in the Updated Top 15
The positive changes in the WBA ranking affected not only the super middleweight but also the heavyweight division (over 90.7 kg). Ukrainian boxer Viktor Vikhryst also managed to break into the top 15, taking 14th place. Thus, in the latest version of the World Boxing Association ranking, two representatives of Ukraine hold positions in the elite of their weight categories, underscoring the consistently high level of the Ukrainian boxing school on the international stage.
The Broader Context: The Ukrainian School in World Lists
Khyzhniak's and Vikhryst's entry into the WBA top 15 comes against the backdrop of a general strengthening of Ukrainian boxers' positions in world rankings. As Sport RBC.UA previously reported, Oleksandr Usyk also holds a significant position in the updated The Ring ranking. The combination of these data indicates that Ukrainian boxing continues to be of interest to the largest international organizations and ranking agencies, while young title fighters such as Khyzhniak are becoming notable figures in their divisions right at the start of their professional careers.
