2 Pittsburgh-based boxers sign profile-raising promotional deal

Since moving to Pittsburgh in the last three years, Ukrainian standouts Oleh “Ukraine Pitbull” Dovhun and Lyubomyr “Demolition Man” Pinchuk have been looking to make a name for themselves in the world of pro boxing.

They took a step in that direction this week.

Local boxing trainer and promoter Michael McSorley of Conn-Greb Boxing Club announced Wednesday that the fighters had signed a multi-year promotional deal with New York-based Star Boxing.

“It’s huge for them,” McSorley said. “We have done shows here in Pittsburgh to build their reputation in hopes we would earn an opportunity to be with a promoter like Star. They are fighting on all the major networks and have had guys on HBO when they were doing boxing. They’ve had world champions and they have several world champion contenders right now. So this will really enable our guys to fight on the next level with the world’s elite.”

Star Boxing has produced several world champions in the past, including Antonio Tarver, Chris Alegeri, and Demetrius Andrade, who won the WBO middleweight title in 2018 and has defended it three times. Now, Dovhun (10-0, 3 KOs) and Pinchuk (12-1-1, 7 KOs) get to join the crowd.

Dovhun is an undefeated 122-pound southpaw who began boxing in his hometown of Stebnyk, Ukraine, at age 10. He won five Ukrainian national titles. The 26-year-old has shown off an impressive ability to punish his opponents at different angles in 10 professional fights.

Pinchuk has also impressed through his first 14 professional fights. The 24-year-old heavyweight fought six times in 2019, including a win over then-undefeated prospect Johnnie Langston by decision for the ABF Continental America’s Cruiserweight Title.

“I am very excited to add Oleh and Lyubomyr to the talented stable we have at Star Boxing,” Star Boxing CEO Joe Deguardia said in a statement. “Oleh is an exciting fighter in a hot 122-pound division, and Lyubomyr is a good prospect in a hot heavyweight division. With their skill set, we know with the right opportunities, both Oleh and Lyubomyr will prove they belong in the ring with the elite in their respective divisions. I look forward to working with them and for what is to come.”

For the most part, Pinchuk and Dovhun have fought around the Pittsburgh area as pros. Pinchuk has fought in Detroit, along with Philadelphia and Morgantown, but their signing with Star will allow the pair to gain more national exposure, which McSorley is excited about.

“I think this will have them get fights out of town, at the next level, which has been our goal all along,” McSorley said.

The next step is unclear for the pair of Bloomfield residents. With the restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, McSorley said his fighters’ upcoming schedules are a little unclear at the moment. So, until that becomes clear, McSorley said his fighters just need to remain ready.

“If there’s one thing in this game, it’s you never know when you’re going to get the call,” McSorley said. “You don’t want to be the guy that’s getting off the couch. So, we’re not officially, per se, having a training camp right now, but we are certainly still training five days a week to stay conditioned so we don’t have to get ready.”