By Gabriel F. Cordero
Ukrainian Olympic champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak (3-0, 2 KOs), 31, defeated experienced Argentinian Durval Palacio (16-5, 12 KOs) by unanimous decision, with scores of 98-92, 99-91, and 100-90, in a WBA Gold light heavyweight championship bout on Saturday, August 22, in Lviv, Ukraine.
Khyzhniak’s victory was decisive, as he demonstrated superior boxing skills and technique throughout the 10 rounds.
Khyzhniak has participated in two Summer Olympic Games, winning a silver medal at Tokyo 2020 (75 kg) and a gold medal at Paris 2024 (80 kg). He has also won three medals at the European Games: bronze in Baku in 2015 (81 kg), gold in Minsk in 2019 (75 kg), and gold in Kraków in 2023 (80 kg).
He also won gold medals at the 2017 World Amateur Boxing Championships and the 2017 European Amateur Boxing Championships.
