Carnation returned after Benavides. Maybe now will change the category

On April 20, the former WBC World Heavyweight Champion, 38-year-old Alexander Gvozdik (21-2, 17 KO), took place in Oushenside, the United States, the former WBC World Heavyweight Champion, 38-year-old Alexander Gvozdik. The opponent was 31-year-old American Anthony Hollove (9-8-3, 7 KO). Not the confrontation and not the opponent that most expect to see against the carnation. But there was a reason for such a fight.

Carnation thinks about changing the category. It was his first duel in Cruiserweit
Alexander Gvozdik said directly in an interview that he understands: 38 years – not the age when you can make many years of plans. He wants to become a world champion, but understands that there is very little time.

The closest to the title after returning to the ring, the carnation was in 2024, when he went to the ring against David Benavides. The American Mexican was tested in the new weight category in battle against the Ukrainian boxer, and the carnation lost.
Against the background of other speeches, it was a normal battle, but not more. He was expected more because of the power of impact and the ability to strike them. However, Benavides did not work.

Alexander did not lose defective or totally. He simply could not cope with an opponent who made more blows, pressed and forced to work overtime. Carnation threw out the blows less than they would like. Accordingly, not as much as it was necessary to win.

The carnation was not going to retire after defeat. However, the match did not develop. Eddie Ryinoso’s cooperation ended just after the defeat of Benavides – perhaps because of this fight it began. And the new manager could not get the necessary battle.

Carnation, for example, wanted a meeting with Callum Smith. There the road to the belt seemed closer because the British already has a WBO belt, but temporary. However, the British did not respond – he wanted louder rivals who, albeit dangerous than the carnation, will bring more money.

Therefore, Alexander thought, in particular, about the confrontation in the Cruiserweit. Perhaps even going to the title there. However, the category is not so saturated with names and intrigues – maybe something will work.

The match against Hollovoy was not intended to show which carnation is cool. It is clear that this opponent is not so difficult to make a fighter of Alexander. Here it was necessary to try yourself in the new category and not stagnate. Because the practice of 38 years is very, very important not to lose shape.

Anthony was not distinguished by anything except the impact. Not very dimensional, not terribly technical. The usual fight to return after defeat.
He looked the same. Carnation strokes began to stitch the opponent’s protection. He punched the torso, went from different sides. The Hollowa reflected boldly, even in the second round, when the carnation raised the pace and density.

🇺🇦Gvozdyk wins by stoppage

Former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk Scores a Round 3 Stoppage Against Anthony Hollaway

Gvozdyk’s First Fight Since Lozing to David Benavidez Last Year Pic.twitter.com/z9dl1bxusd

– Tokkerū (@atokkers5) April 19, 2025

However, these were too different levels. Alexander still pressed his opponent in the third round and knocked out. In the break, Anthony was holding his face, and, having gone to the third round, he kept several times. And he got his own – fell twice, rose, but the referee stopped the show. And he did the right thing, because it could turn into too frankly beating.

What does this fight tell us? Neither about the level of carnation, nor about its capacity in the Cruiserweit. Because the first we knew so, and the second cannot tell the match not even against the middle.
He tells us that Alexander is in shape. He still wants to compete, box and achieve something. It has a purpose and desire. So, there are still matches.

What now? In general, Cruzerweit is a familiar category for carnation. Given that in life it just weighs – up to 90.7 kg. And given the hours of sparring against Alexander Usik. And then against Hilberto Ramirez, who now has two championship titles.

However, the situation here is not easy. There is the same Ramirez that will occur with Dorticos and aims at Jay Opetai. There is a opeta, who has an opponent, but is constantly calling for Ramires. The 38-year-old carnation does not fit into this company.

They will earn more in the duel, they will have three titles at stake. Ramirez in general says that hevait would have passed later.

However, there is also WBC, which is owned by Bad Jack, and somewhere there near Noiel Micaelyan. These are the fighters whom the carnation can be killed. Good, complex, with a name, but under the power of Alexander even in 38. It is reasonable to move in that direction.

However, this is only a reflection, because before Hollovoy, a carnation directly said that the target was a belt. And he will try to reach it in a semi -heavy category. And if it does not work – it will go to Cruzerweit.

The confrontation against Ramires looks risky. Against opeta is even more risky. But the struggle for a green belt – why not?