Khyzhniak won his first professional boxing title at Usyk's event in Lviv
Kyiv • UNN
Oleksandr Khyzhniak unanimously defeated Argentina's Palacio in Lviv. The Ukrainian won the WBA Gold International belt in his third professional fight.
Olympic champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak defeated Argentina’s Durval Elias Palacio in Lviv on August 22 and won the first title of his professional career. This was reported on Usyk’s Instagram page, UNN writes.
Details
The bout took place as part of a boxing event organized by the promotional company Usyk 17 Promotions. The WBA Gold International title in the light heavyweight division was at stake.
Khyzhniak faced 36-year-old Palacio, who had previously had 20 professional fights, winning 16 of them, 12 by knockout, and suffering four defeats. The fight lasted all 10 scheduled rounds and ended with a unanimous victory for the Ukrainian — 99:91, 98:92, 100:90.
The first rounds proved difficult for Khyzhniak. The Ukrainian absorbed several powerful punches from the Argentine, but gradually seized the initiative and began applying active pressure on his opponent. Noticeable hematomas appeared on Palacio’s face, and in the second half of the fight Khyzhniak controlled the course of the bout and confidently took it to victory.
Khyzhniak’s first title
For 31-year-old Khyzhniak, this was his third professional bout. The Ukrainian made his professional debut in March 2026, when he defeated Wilmer Baron before the final bell. In his second fight, he knocked out the previously undefeated Frenchman Lenny Patrac.
Thus, Khyzhniak recorded his third victory in three professional fights and became the holder of a professional title for the first time in his career.
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Other Ukrainian boxers also fought at the boxing event in Lviv. Dmytro Lovchynskyi knocked out Colombia’s Deibis Berrocal in the first round. It was the Ukrainian’s third professional victory, with all three of his fights ending before the final bell.
Pavlo Illiusha knocked out Portugal’s Allef Jordelli in the third round and earned his fourth consecutive victory in professional boxing. The Ukrainian has ended all of his fights at the professional level by knockout.
Maksym Rudyk successfully made his professional boxing debut by defeating Andrii Tyshkovets by unanimous decision — 39:37, 39:37, 39:37. Maksym Zymenko also earned a unanimous-decision victory over Maksym Chernelya.
Elvin Aliiev extended his streak of early victories by defeating James Londinier by technical knockout in the second round. It was the Ukrainian’s third victory in professional boxing, and he has won all three before the final bell.