By Vestnik Kavkaza
On June 21st, Moscow hosted a fight between the Olympic champion in boxing of 2008, Russian Rakhim Chakhkiyev, and Polish boxer Krzysztof Włodarczyk, the current WBC Cruiserweight World champion. It was the first title fight for Chakhkiyev. The head of Ingushetia Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and representatives of the Ingush Diaspora came to Dynamo Sports Palace to support their fellow Ingush.
Rakhim Chakhkiyev began boxing when he was 12. In the early 2000s he won all the possible medals of the Russian championship – bronze in 2005 and 2006, silver in 2004, and gold in 2002. When he became the champion of Russia and took the second place in the world champion in 2007, Rakhim went to the Olympic Games in Beijing. And he became the Olympic champion. In 2009 Chakhkiyev shifted to professional sports.
As for the fight against the current WBC champion Krzysztof Włodarczyk, Chakhkiyev said that he and his coach Artur Grigoryan had no special strategy and settings. Chakhkiyev started the fight like he always does – with numerous sharp attacks and strong punches. However, in the 6th round Wlodarczyk seized the initiative and knocked Chakhkiyev down by short left hook after a clinch. Then, Chakhkiyev began to make few combinations due to tiredness. In the 8th round the current champion had all advantages and after two knock-downs Chakiyev threw in the towel.
Krzysztof Włodarczyk who defeated his championship noted that Chakhkiyev was a strong and powerful rival. The Russian boxer believes that he didn’t make any mistakes, that he just lost concentration after the first knock-down. He also expressed gratitude to fans for their support. Moreover, the boxer hopes for a return match next year.
