The predator remains in amateurs. Why is this a good decision?

Oleksandr Khizhnyak officially remains in amateur boxing. First, he got into the updated team, and then he said that he will focus on preparing for the next summer Olympics:

“I am proud of all the awards of our Ukrainian athletes. This is very important, it greatly stimulates all young athletes who are on the verge of winning the highest awards for our country. All victories in the professional ring, as well as in the Olympic ring among other sports – they are very important.

Speaking about ourselves, we are now focused on preparing for the next Olympic Games. We are working according to plan, but I am sure that all victories in any ring in any direction are extremely important now for our country, for our military and for all of us,” Khizhnyak said.

The decision to stay in the amateurs is not a bad one. It is even logical from the Predator’s side In general, Oleksandr Khizhnyak was expected by fans in professional boxing for such a long time that at some point they simply calmed down. Therefore, his decision did not cause a huge reaction.

However, many note that the boxer from Poltava should have looked the other way. Professional boxing means big money, more popularity and opportunities. Speaking about this, people often note that Alexander is “ruining his career”.

But it is not quite so. The predator simply chooses a different path. Yes, it is not a star story when a great amateur boxer goes to professional boxing and wins some victories. But this is an understandable, traveled path.

It is far from always that boxers who have achieved something in amateurs become successful in professionals. Even fewer fighters become stars. Just think of Taras Shelestyuk, who was a bronze medalist at the Olympics, and he had everything falling apart as a pro. Or Robesy Ramirez, a two-time Olympic champion. More hopes were placed on him than one belt and two defeats to just a strong Mexican.

It should be understood that Khizhnyak is 29 years old. There is not much time left for a full-fledged career. And in the case of Oleksandr, he needs this time – to find out what it’s like to return punches in 10-ounce gloves from a good counterpuncher. Perhaps because of this, the Ukrainian boxer himself decided to do so.

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Oleksandr Khizhnyak with the gold medal of the Olympics And in general, this is not the worst decision. The world is full of boxers who regularly performed only in amateur boxing and were repeatedly participants in world championships and the Olympics. Against their background, Khyzhnyak is strongly distinguished by results. He is already a silver champion and winner of the Olympics. There are already big achievements and there may be a replenishment of the collection of awards ahead.

And it’s good for the national team. When there is a leader you can look up to and whose achievements you want to cover, it is better to train. Especially for young people, who prevail among amateurs.

It was possible to try yourself as a pro. Now Khyzhnyak is taking no less risks Speaking about the Olympics, Oleksandr Khizhnyak forgets or simply keeps silent about the fact that there may not be one. Just for boxing.

At the moment, it is unclear what will happen to amateur boxing in general. The IBA is disqualified and will not hold amateur tournaments. The IOC is calling on everyone to join the new World Boxing organization. But World Boxing itself raises questions, because it has not yet held a single major international tournament.

There should be no problem with World Boxing. There are experienced managers and an interesting team, they are supported not only by the IOC, but also by reputable boxers. But the fact of the absence of major competitions and a long procedure cannot help but stress.

So, the first factor is that Khyzhnyak risks missing a big tournament due to his absence. It is banal that World Boxing will not develop final relations with the IOC and everything will break down. And the boxers will remain outside the board. Including those for whom this is almost the last chance, as in the case of Khyzhnyak.

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Oleksandr Khizhnyak (right) Let’s not forget about the other side of such tournaments – they are held once every four years. If professional confrontations can be held at least once every two or three months at the start and there are possible failures, it is not the end. Any failure during the preparation for such a tournament or directly at it hides all years of effort.

Injuries and personal problems cannot be ruled out during such a long period of preparation – no one is immune from this. And just defeat. Young athletes evolve, prepare for specific opponents, develop. Khyzhnyak’s style is honed for amateurs, but amateurs are becoming younger and younger in relation to him over time. It is far from a fact that the next generation will experience the same problems as the previous one.

Alexander’s risky path. With this step, he embarks on a path that may lead to the fact that he will be considered the main amateur boxer in the history of Ukraine. And it may come to the point that the next event at the Olympics will turn out to be a total failure.