Vladimir Virchis (Ukrainian: Володимир Вірчіс; 18 August 1973 – 28 January 2022) was a Ukrainian professional boxer. Competing from 1999 to 2009, he held the European heavyweight title from 2006 to 2008.

Vladimir Virchis
Born
Володимир Вірчіс

18 August 1973
Died28 January 2022 (aged 48)
Kyiv, Ukraine
NationalityUkrainian
Other namesThe Hunter
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m)
Reach80 in (203 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights28
Wins26
Wins by KO21
Losses2

Life and career

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Virchis, born in Kakhovka, Kherson Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, was known as "The Hunter." Large and powerful, he turned professional in 1999 and won his first 20 bouts with 17 knockouts, including victories over club fighters Julius Francis, Cliff Couser, and Michael Sprott.

Virchis' career was sidetracked in 2007 when he faced undefeated amateur star Ruslan Chagaev and lost a controversial majority decision. Later that same year, he rebounded by knocking out European champion, Paolo Vidoz.

In late 2008 Virchis lost a decision to Juan Carlos Gomez. Virchis had alcohol before the match, and he was drunk while fighting. After the loss a disappointed Virchis announced his retirement from the sport.[1]

On the night from 27 to 28 January 2022, Virchis' was found dead of suicide by hanging on Raisa Okipna Street in Kyiv.[2] He was 48,[2] and his body was identified by his wife.[2]

Professional boxing record

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26 Wins (21 knockouts, 5 decisions) 2 Losses (2 decisions) [1]
Result Opp
Record
Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Win 19-19   Edgars Kalnārs UD 6 24 October 2009   Kugelbake Halle, Cuxhaven, Lower Saxony
Loss 43-1   Juan Carlos Gómez UD 12 27 September 2008   Color Line Arena, Altona, Hamburg
Win 22-9   Robert Hawkins KO 5 17 November 2007   Bordelandhalle, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt
Win 23-3   Paolo Vidoz UD 12 19 May 2007   Color Line Arena, Altona, Hamburg Retained European heavyweight title
Win 14-10   Ihar Shukala TKO 1 23 February 2007   Palace of Sports, Kyiv
Win 16-11   Marcus McGee KO 3 13 January 2007   Brandberge Arena, Halle an der Saale, Saxony-Anhalt
Win 21-2   Paolo Vidoz KO 6 15 July 2006   Color Line Arena, Altona, Hamburg Won European heavyweight title
Loss 19-0-1   Ruslan Chagaev MD 12 11 March 2006   Color Line Arena, Altona, Hamburg Lost WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title;
For WBA Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win 27-8   Michael Sprott UD 12 13 December 2005   Freizeit Arena, Soelden Retained WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win 12-5-1   Lisandro Ezequiel Díaz TKO 1 10 September 2005   Dm-Arena, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg Retained WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win 12-3   Adnan Serin KO 1 10 May 2005   Pueblo Espanol, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands
Win 14-1   Taras Bidenko TKO 12 29 March 2005   Sporthalle, Wandsbek, Hamburg Won WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win 24-9-2   Cliff Couser TKO 5 26 June 2004   Zorianyi Hall, Feodosiya Retained IBF Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win 17-1   Balu Sauer KO 8 31 January 2004   Palace of Sports, Kyiv Retained IBF Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win 23-12-1   Julius Francis UD 12 6 September 2003   Palace of Sports, Kyiv Won IBF Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win --   Valeriy Klymenko TKO 1 19 July 2003   Oasis Entertaining Complex, Kyiv
Win 4-3-1   Farhat Chaanoune UD 8 31 May 2003   Brandenburg Halle, Frankfurt, Brandenburg
Win 9-10-1   Mihail Bekish TKO 10 22 February 2003   Circus, Kharkiv Won WBC CISBB heavyweight title
Win --   Igor Petrenco TKO 2 28 September 2002   Mykolaiv
Win 27-11   Thomas Williams KO 1 21 September 2002   Circus, Kyiv Won IBC Intercontinental heavyweight title
Win 19-17-1   Yuriy Yelistratov KO 1 23 March 2002   Circus, Kyiv Won Ukraine heavyweight title
Win --   Serhiy Ivanets KO 2 15 June 2001   Casino Bingo, Kyiv
Win --   Roman Kapytonenko KO 1 30 April 2001   Circus, Kyiv
Win 5-6   Stanislav Tovkachov RTD 3 27 January 2001   Nadiya Sport Palace, Mykolaiv
Win 2-2   Oleksandr Myleiko TKO 3 4 March 2000   Kherson
Win 0-1   Ruslan Qurbonov TKO 2 16 January 2000   Poltava
Win 1-1   Oleksandr Myleiko TKO 5 16 October 1999   Chernihiv
Win --   Andriy Oliynyk KO 2 24 August 1999   Sumy

References

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  1. ^ Vester, Mark (25 January 2008). "Hasim Rahman To Step in, Face Vladimir Virchis?". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b c (in Ukrainian) Famous Ukrainian boxer Virchis was found hanged, Ukrayinska Pravda (28 January 2022)
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Preceded by EBU Heavyweight Champion
15 July 2006 – June 2008
Vacant
Title next held by
Sinan Samil Sam