With the recent achievements all over the world and especially in heavyweight division Russian fighters seem to found themselves in spotlights in America as well as in Europe. Vadim Tokarev, Dmitry Kirillov, Rustam Nugaev and others, despite being pretty unknown and unheralded, followed the steps of heavyweight champions, Kostya Tzyu and Roman Karmazin by showing trademark qualities of Russian fighters: hard and intensive training work, determination, respective behavior and steel will. While they aren’t champions right now, it’s clear that all of them possess champions’ potential so their future successes are on hand.

Another pugilist from Russia who is preparing himself for the future challenges on the long and hard way to the title is Ivan Kirpa. Right now he’s training in Wild Card gym, California, under the common regulation by Freddie Roach and is close to sign a deal with American promoter he prefers not to talk about at the moment. Once Ivan Kirpa was known well around Europe as one of the most talented welterweights in business but unfortunately things changed considerably just in months and soon he found himself near the possible end of his promising boxing career.

Russian native, hailing from the old Russian city of Smolensk, Kirpa started his professional career at the age of 20 in 1999. It was only a matter of time for him to become a bright star in Russian boxing as he showed time after time his tremendous boxing skills combined with fan-friendly style of boxing, which was so awkward for his opponents. He was 7-0 in 1999 and made a successful debut overseas by defeating ever-dangerous Dominican Julio Aquino (4-1) via TKO 6 in Atlantic-City, NJ in January, 2000. In the next fight he captured Russian light welterweight title and was ready to shake the world but… His contract with British promotional company was the biggest mistake in his live.

‘I was going to emerge as a legitimate contender in 140 lbs despite having been only 9-0 and 22 years old when British contender offered me a deal too tempting to be avoided. I was sitting all nights long with my Russian manager Igor Schafer, studying the Russian version of contract and found nothing suspicious. However, when I had signed an English version things and conditions considerably changed. To tell the truth I was fooled by these bastards and was taken simply into kind of slavery. Financial conditions are important but these guys seemed to play with not only with them but also with my whole career. I found myself deep into the waters of British club boxing, taking no ones and destroying my own skills in meanless fights. I was ready to challenge the best but I had to fight with bums’.

Kirpa was 18-0 prior his first serious opponent but the price of signing a deal was too high for him. He suffered the loss on points to Bradley Price (17-2, 9 KOs) over 10 rounds on the 8th of May, 2003, the setback almost stopping his career. He fought only three times since that with the last bout (TD 6 over Sergey Zimnevich), dated by the October, 2004. No fights since then, no chances, no opportunities to re-build his career… However…

‘It’s a great chance for me to find myself here in America. I can’t help saying thanks to Roman Karmazin and Dmitry Kirillov who took me overseas to give me another chance to continue my career. I’m training hard right now in order to prepare myself for the future fights. However, no deals have been signed yet. I have learned not to believe anybody while signing any deals. My contract with the promoter I don’t want to speak about is under the study of my fellow lawyers in Russia. They will translate it in Russian so that I’ll be able to know all details by myself. I don’t want to be fooled or treated as a fool. Period. I’m only 28 years old, well prepared and will do everything to catch a second wind in my life. And, please, warn all Russian boxers about these problems. Let them not to suffer the problems, which made me a sad example of a poor treat.’

Ivan Kirpa is 21-1 with 13 KOs right now.