TORONTO, ON—On March 29, two of boxing’s true hotbeds will combine for one exciting night of world-class boxing: Ukraine and Canada.
Three of Ukraine’s top contenders will be in action at the Mattamy Athletic Centre as a part of Lee Baxter Promotions latest event in downtown Toronto, Ontario.
In the main event, super welterweight standout Stanyslav Skorokhod makes his long-awaited return to Canada. Skorokhod (17-2, 12 KOs) was a competitor in ESPN‘s prestigious Boxcino tournament, and had a lengthy and storied amateur career in his homeland, fighting in the same amateur system that has produced Vasyl Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk. The 29-year old is coming off a controversial split decision loss to Aram Amirkhanyan last June in a bout many observers believe he won clearly. Now, he returns to Toronto, the site of two of his most thrilling performances—knockout wins over Fernando Silva and Nestor Garcia.
“The night Stan fought Fernando Silva at the Powerade Centre in Brampton was undoubtedly one of the liveliest boxing crowds we’ve ever had in Ontario,” said Baxter. “I know the Ukrainian-Canadian community can’t wait to see him again, and we can’t wait to give them another tremendous show.”
In light heavyweight action, Vyacheslav Shabranskyy will return to the ring for the first time in over a year. Shabranskyy has established himself as one of the top contenders, and most exciting action fighters in the 175-pound division. The Zhytomyr, Ukraine native made his professional debut in 2012 and rattled off 17 straight victories and 14 knockouts. Now 19-2, Shabranskyy’s only two blemishes on his pro record are losses to Sullivan Barrera and Sergey Kovalev, two of the very best light heavyweights on the planet.
“Shabranskyy has gone toe-to-toe with the very best in the light heavyweight division. Not only does he know what it takes to make it to the top, but you know he’s going to be in a war each and every night as he tries to get there. He’s both a fan’s and a promoter’s dream,” said Baxter.
Finally, Ukrainian heavyweight prospect Oleksandr Teslenko will be in action in his adopted hometown of Toronto. The monstrous power puncher, who is promoted by Lou Dibella, made waves in 2018 with wins on Broadway Boxing, and on the undercard of Stevenson-Gvozdyk. With an amateur pedigree of 247 fights (with 224 wins), Teslenko is considered to be Canada’s—and Ukraine’s—possible best shot at a world heavyweight title in the near future.
The undercard will be rounded out by local favorite Nick Fantauzzi, Ross Mylet, and the professional debut of former Canadian national amateur champion Amanda Galle.
Tickets will go on sale shortly, and will start at $45. For more information, visit leebaxterpromotions.com.
