By Jeff Carroll
Serhii “El Flacco” Bohachuk is looking to make an impact when he headlines Ring City on Thursday March 4 on NBC. The 25 year old Ukranian has explosive power and is looking to firmly establish himself as a 154lb contender. His record stands at 18–0 with 18 knockouts and he presents a formidable challenge for his opponent, former Contender winner Brandon Adams (23–3, 13 KOS). Playing his opponents ribs like a xylophone and delivering piston-like one-twos, the rising Ukranian star comes to the ring prepared to put on a show. Get know him as he discusses his upbringing and his career; here’s 10 rounds with Serhii Bohachuk:
- Who would you say has been your single biggest influence in your career?
I grew up in a poor family. I didn’t have many options to succeed in life. I wasn’t a great student at school. But I was a good fighter, and I understood that the only chance for me to succeed in life was through boxing. This was the only way. I left everything behind me and just focused on boxing.
2. If you had to pick one fight of yours for people to watch to really get a sense of your skills, which fight would you pick?
This title fight against Tyler Brunson.
3. I know nutrition is a major factor for elite athletes success but what is your favourite cheat food after a fight?
Lots of meat, shashlik. I love meat. Before my fights I like pasta, after my fights it’s meat.
4. What’s your go to music when working out and training?
Different music. I don’t have a specific preference. Depends on my mood. I listen to all music, depending on how I feel.
5. You grew up in Ukraine. What do you miss most about your home country?
I just miss Ukraine as a whole. The land, the air. I miss our nature, our food, everything. I love my country very much. I love Ukraine. It’s a very fruitful country. It’s a very beautiful country. I love my country a lot.
6. What are some of your favourite hobbies outside of boxing?
While in the United States, I like going shopping for clothes. But when I’m home, I like to spend time with my nephews, my family, traveling to different places, and learning new things. When I’m in the US I don’t have many options, but when I’m home I have lots of options to visit different places. In general, I don’t like to sit around in the house. I like to be outdoors and discover new things.
7. What sacrifices do you have to make as an elite athlete?
There are a lot of sacrifices. Elite athletes make tremendous amounts of sacrifices. It’s not just fighting. I’m doing a huge amount of work before the fight. You’re sacrificing a lot. When you’re making weight, you can’t eat a lot. No fat food. Always limiting your food intake. Always controlling your nutrition and health, so that you can lower your weight while maintaining your power. All of that should be strictly controlled. Every morning I wake up at 6 am to go running. I run every morning except Sundays. Sundays are for resting. Every evening I try to go to sleep at 9pm, to get enough sleep and fully recover. So, I’m always under a strict regimen. I’m always sticking to my regimen, watching my weight and my diet. It’s hard labour, which very few can see. People only see the fights when you’re already fighting. But before the fight you’ll need to go through so much. You will not understand it until you feel it yourself. It’s a very hard job.
8. I know you’re from Vinnytsia, but what is your favourite city to fight in? What is your dream fight location?
I don’t have a particular city of choice. I’d love to fight in my home town Vinnytsia. I hope that it is possible and we will do it. But I fought in a lot of different places, and it doesn’t make a huge difference to me. The only thing that matters to me is the ring and my opponent. But as for the city, I don’t have a preference yet. Probably my hometown would be it.
9. If you could call out one Super Welterweight who would it be and why could you beat them?
I’m ready to fight everybody. I’m open for everybody, and I’m ready to fight anyone who has a title. I don’t have someone in particular in mind. It’s all the same for me. I just need the titles. I want to get all the titles and keep them.
10. Finally, what is your prediction for your fight with Brandon Adams?
I can’t give any predictions. It’s a secret. I will show everything in the fight. I will show it to my fans, because I’m ready 100%. And I will show it and prove to everyone. They will see the new Serhii Bohachuk. Much more smarter, more sneakier. I will show very good boxing. No prediction. Watch the fight and see for yourselves.
Follow Serhii on social media:
Twitter: @SBohachuk
IG: @serhii_bohachuk
Translation provided by Samir Azizi, assistant to Tom Loeffler.