UKRAINE PAIN

Cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk represents a tough fighting nation

1. WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO

“Dr Steelhammer” wasn’t quite as sturdy as his brother, Vitali, yet managed to reign longer as heavyweight champion. Considered The Man from 2006 to 2015, Wladimir somehow bounced back from three devastating defeats to rule supreme.

2. VITALI KLITSCHKO

Vitali enjoyed three stints as a heavyweight beltholder. He reigned as WBO boss from 1999 to 2000, WBC champ in 2004, and then returned from a fouryear hiatus to again lift the WBC crown in 2008.

3. VASYL LOMACHENKO

He might only be 12 fights into his pro career, but Lomachenko, a world titlist by bout three, has won world belts at feather, super-feather and lightweight and is probably the most skilful fighter in the sport.

4. OLEKSANDR USYK

Usyk has emerged as the undisputed number one cruiserweight in the world following his exploits in the World Boxing Super Series. He owns all four of the recognised titles in his division.

5. LOUIS “KID” KAPLAN

Kaplan’s family emigrated to America when he was five and it was there he’d compete 149 times as a pro. In January 1925, he knocked out Danny Kramer in nine rounds to become world featherweight champion.

6. SERHIY DZINZIRUK

Known as “Razor”, Dzinziruk lifted the WBO superwelterweight title in 2005 with a win over Daniel Santos and then defended it six times. His first loss occurred when he moved to middleweight to fight Sergio Martinez in 2011.

7. VIKTOR POSTOL

Postol became the WBC super-lightweight champion in 2015 with an upset win over Lucas Matthysse before losing to the brilliant Terence Crawford in a unification clash the following year.

8. VOLODYMYR SYDORENKO

Sydorenko won the WBA bantamweight title in 2005, beating Julio Zarate on points, and would hold on to the belt for three years, dethroned eventually by Anselmo Moreno.

9. ANDRIY KOTELNIK

Kotelnik rebounded from some close losses to eventually win the WBA super-lightweight title with a 12th round stoppage against Gavin Rees in 2008. He defended it twice before Amir Khan beat him.

10. VYACHESLAV SENCHENKO

Senchenko outpointed fellow Ukrainian Yuriy Nuzhnenko in 2009 to become WBA welterweight champion and defended the belt three times before Paulie Malignaggi nicked it.