Volodymyr Virchis is a Ukrainian

Ukrainians

Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...

 boxer

Boxing

Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...

 and is a touted prospect in the heavyweight division.

Virchis is known as "The Hunter", the large and powerful Virchis turned professional in 1999 and won his first 20 bouts with 17 knockouts, including victories over clubfighters Julius Francis

Julius Francis

Julius Francis is a former British Heavyweight champion boxer - who participated in many noteworthy boxing matches in the 1990s and 2000s. In 2007 he also participated in a mixed martial arts bout....

, Cliff Couser

Cliff Couser

Clifford Couser is a heavyweight boxer. Nicknamed "The Black Bull" and often "Twin Tyson" for his resemblance to Mike Tyson, Couser fought several contenders from his era...

, and Michael Sprott

Michael Sprott

Michael Sprott is a professional heavyweight boxer from Reading, Berkshire, England. Sprott briefly held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, and was a European heavyweight title contender...

.

His career was sidetracked in 2006 when he faced undefeated amateur star Ruslan Chagaev

Ruslan Chagaev

Ruslan Chagaev born October 19, 1978 in Andijan, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union) is an Uzbekistani former WBA heavyweight boxing champion of Tatar ethnicity...

 and lost a controversial majority decision.

Later in the year he rebounded by knocking out European champion, Paolo Vidoz

Paolo Vidoz

Paolo Vidoz is a boxer from Italy, who won the Olympic bronze medal, twice won the bronze medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships: 1997 and 1999 and also won a silver medal at the European Championships....

, once more with a big right hand.

In late 2008 Virchis lost a decision to Juan Carlos Gomez

Juan Carlos Gomez

Juan Carlos Gómez is a professional boxer. A former Cuban amateur star, he is also a former WBC Cruserweight Champion and a devout Muslim. He lives in and boxes out of Orlando, Florida, USA.-Early years and defection:...

. Virchis had alcohol before the match, and he was drunk while fighting. After the loss a disappointed Virchis announced his retirement from the sport.

External links

• News and Pictures of Volodymyr Virchis, boxing.de