Featuring a ferocious style in a similar beast-mode as fellow Slavic fighters Gennady Golovkin and Sergey Kovalev, undefeated Ukrainian lightweight Ivan “The Terrible” Redkach (15-0, 13 KOs) plans to graduate from prospect to contender this Friday night in his U.S. network debut, airing live on ShoBox: The New Generation from Memphis, Tennessee.
Redkach takes on Canadian boxer Tony “The Lightning” Luis (17-1-1, 7 KOs), who is rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), in the 10-round main event for the vacant United States Boxing Association (USBA) lightweight title.
“I’m humbled to have been named by some media as one of the top prospects in boxing,” the fearsome 27-year-old southpaw said, “but I’m going to make a statement Friday night that I’m a legitimate contender and no longer a prospect. I’m ready to fight the top 135-pounders in the world. I’m not looking past my opponent but I want to fight (Yuriokis) Gamboa. I’m really looking forward to 2014 as the year I establish myself as one of the top 135-pound fighters in the world.”
The Lou DiBella-promoted Redkach is rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and capturing the USBA title will also position him among the top 15 lightweights in the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
Redkach is a real fighter, not a slick boxer in any sense. His knockouts are highlight films, leaving media and fans alike, as well as potential opponents, frightened about the long-term health of his opponents after a fight.
“Ivan has power like Golovkin, Kovalev and (Adonis) Stevenson, the type of fighters fans love to watch,” added Redkach’s manager, Elite Management president Larry Army.
“Before I signed him, Ivan did practically everything on his own, outside of Lou and his trainer. Mario Morales, who is the only Team Redkach member we retained. Like any good manager, I set out to put together the best people to support Ivan, in and out of the ring, starting with his strength-and-conditioning coach, Danny Garcia. He’s done a great job with Leo Santa Cruz, who Ivan has sparred with in Los Angeles. Ivan has already put on 10 pounds of muscle. I also brought in Victor Conte to help with Ivan’s nutrition, vitamins and supplements. Ivan was right on weight early and he hasn’t had to struggle at all. Another key addition is assistant trainer and cut-man Russ Anber (Rival Boxing). He won’t be in Ivan’s corner for this fight because he’s also worked Luis’ corner in the past. Ivan’s still in great hands because Danny Milano will be his cut-man for this fight.”
Redkach is a brutal, dangerous punching-machine. Fighters such as Golovkin, Kovalev and Stevenson rank among the most popular contemporary fighters because of the unadulterated savagery they unleash in the ring. Redkach is a rising star who represents the next wave of made-for-television fighters.
