Ukrainian boxer Ivan Redkach enjoyed great popularity in his homeland for many years, despite endless criticism of his colleagues. However, last year the reputation of an athlete who considered himself a true patriot suddenly deteriorated.
The Ukrainian dared to post a photo… with a Russian boxer.
On June 19, a joint photo with Dmitry Bivol appeared on Ivan Redkach’s social networks: the boxers posed with each other’s arms. The athlete accompanied the “provocative” image with a caption that angered many of his compatriots:
You have to separate sport and politics. For me, sport is outside of politics. This is how athletes work, and in this case with sweat and blood, no politician works like this, he only sweats while counting the state budget in his pocket. Don’t confuse a bathroom with a clock! Redkach wrote.
Photo Source: Getty Images
The boxer’s words did not find support among Ukrainians: in the comments he was accused of desertion and treason. Of course, there were also people who shared the athlete’s position, they turned out to be a minority. Soon Redkach began to be openly harassed; as a result, he even had to delete his social media page.
Soon Bivol himself spoke about the incident. The Russian boxer said that he had never been close friends with the Ukrainian, but that he had been on good terms for a long time: the athletes always communicated normally with each other.
At the same time, in the past, the boxer became famous, among other things, thanks to his patriotism – he spoke more than once about his love for Ukraine. Two years ago, the athlete said that he was offered to join the Russian national team for half a million dollars, but he rejected the offer:
— Dear haters and my dear friends. I did not change the citizenship of Ukraine, for any temptation. I love Ukraine very much, and I also like our cool president. Breathe,” Redkach wrote on social media.
Photo Source: Getty Images
The famous boxer made a great contribution to the development of Ukrainian martial arts with his achievements. Originally from the Sumy region, he became interested in sports at the Brovarsky Higher School of Physical Education. Already at the age of 19, the athlete boxed at the Ukrainian Championship, where he lost to Alexander Klyuchko in the final match. However, in 2007 and 2008 he managed to become a national champion. Redkach currently resides in Los Angeles.
