On the night of August 9, 2026, Ukrainian boxer Taras Shelestyuk made a triumphant return to the elite of world boxing. In Ecuador, in an arena where his opponent was a genuine local star, the 40-year-old native of Ukraine secured victory in a bout for the WBO International belt. This event became not just another success in his career, but a historic moment: for the first time in a decade, Shelestyuk once again holds the status of champion. In an interview with Sport RBC.UA, the athlete revealed details of his preparation, his future plans, and ambitious goals, including participation in the 2028 Olympic Games.
Triumph in Ecuador: Victory over a difficult opponent
The bout against the Ecuadorian boxer Munoz took place in a tense atmosphere. The opponent, who is a police officer and a member of the SWAT unit, enjoyed colossal support from the local stands, creating additional psychological difficulties for the Ukrainian. However, Shelestyuk, possessing rich experience of performing on foreign arenas, not only withstood the pressure but also used it as motivation. "I controlled every second of this fight and did what we planned with the team," admitted the boxer, noting that Munoz turned out to be a non-standard and difficult opponent, but could not prevent the implementation of the Ukrainian camp's strategy.
Return to the top-10 and ambitions against Heaney
Winning the WBO International belt opens new horizons for Taras Shelestyuk. This title, according to the boxer himself, should propel him into the top-10 of the WBO rankings. The main goal for the near future became a fight with the American Devin Heaney. Shelestyuk intends to demand a mandatory bout from the organization, believing that his current form and experience allow him to challenge the leaders of the division. The list of desired opponents also mentions such heavyweights as Garcia and Lopez, which testifies to the Ukrainian's readiness for the most difficult challenges.
The paradox of age: 40 years old and in the best shape
For a professional boxer, 40 years is an age when many already retire. However, Shelestyuk claims to be in the best shape of recent years. A nine-month pause after the fight in November 2025 allowed him to rest and refine his technique. "At 40, I have more experience, and this gives me even more strength, confidence, and understanding of boxing," emphasized the athlete. His professional record remains impeccable: 22 wins and one draw, without a single loss.
Olympic dream: Looking at Los Angeles-2028
The most unexpected and ambitious item in Shelestyuk's plans was the desire to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Despite the status of a professional champion and his age, the Ukrainian does not lose hope of returning to the Olympic ring, where he already won bronze in 2012. "I want to win several more championship titles, and in 2028 win the Olympics in Los Angeles," declared Taras, demonstrating incredible determination and love for the sport.
