Vyacheslav Glazkov challenges for heavyweight title, but Ukraine always on his mind
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Vyachelsav Glazkov could have pulled out of his August 2014 fight with Derric Rossy and no one would have blamed him.
The heavyweight contender moved to Miami after war broke out in his native Ukraine, where he lived in Lugansk, the Eastern-most major city, and thus, where most of the fighting took place with Russia.
He hadn't spoken to his family in some time and was gravely concerned for their safety. After all, he had no idea if his father and mother were alive or dead. They were well. But Lugansk was bombed, and following the win over Rossy, Glazkov received terrible news: his grandmother had died from the attack, found in a mass grave.
His family's home had blown up, and Glazkov, a fitness instructor at a local police academy, was also worried for the well-being of his officer friends. The Olympic bronze medalist surprisingly struggled to a majority-decision victory over Rossy, but his mind was thousands of miles away.
"Very scary. My grandmother was killed. Very terrible," Glazkov, 31, reflected during an interview with Paste BN Sports. "My parents are still in Lugansk. Very terrible. They're old people and this is very difficult for my father, for my mother - moving. My focus was my home with my parents, Ukraine."
Glazkov's Russian promoter helped him move stateside about two years ago, and he's remain undefeated. He says "life is very easy" in Miami, and he's prospred since the move. He scored a career-best victory in March with a decision over Steve Cunningham on HBO, but most observers felt the wrong guy got the nod.
Glazkov (21-0-1, 13 KOs) also was at the center of controversy for his 2013 draw witih Malik Scott, a bout which seemed to be a clear-cut win for the Philadelphian.
"He's fought a lot of very good fighters, guys it's impossible to look good against, like Malik Scott. Guys like Steve Cunningham, or even Derric Rossy," said Main Events CEO Kathy Duva, Glazkov's promoted. " … Those are the kind of fights you need to learn and improve from. … I'll see how he performs when the chips are down."
And the chips are certainly down for Saturday's assignment. Glazkov will challenge for his world title with a fight against Charles Martin for the vacant IBF heavyweight championship (10 p.m. ET, Showtime) at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The title became available after Tyson Fury was stripped following the upset victory over Wladimir Klitschko.
When Fury chose to challenge Klitschko, he agreed to an immediate rematch clause, something the IBF forbids, a dubious decision by the sanctioning body. So Glazkov and Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs), who have done little to earn title shots (especially Martin) will fight for the further fragmented heavyweight championship.
"Charles is a big guy," Glazkov said of the 6-foot-5 Californian. "He's a lefty but he hasn't fought good opponents. He's a big strong guy, but it's the heavyweight division. Everyone is strong. This will be a good fight."
The 6-foot-3 Glazkov has fought the far better competition, and as such, is the favorite. He also has the amateur pedigree to boot. But Martin is athletic, and while raw, possesses talent.
"This is my dream, to be world champion," he said. "This is first step before next step. … I want all of the belts."
If Glazkov wins Saturday, life will be even easier.
(Photo of Glazkov, top, by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime)