Serhii Bohachuk's focus is on titles, not knockouts
The first thing you notice when you glance at the record of Serhii Bohachuk are the knockouts. Eighteen fights, 18 stoppages.
And, yes, the power is genuine. When he touches an opponent, the effect is different from most fighters. That’s why the 25-year-old Ukrainian has never fought into the seventh round in any fight.
But Bohachuck — who faces veteran Brandon Adams in a step-up fight Thursday in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico (NBC Sports Network) – isn’t a mere banger.
He had a successful amateur career in his native country and now trains with Manny Robles in Los Angeles, where he lives with friends. The Adams fight will be his second with Robles, who was in his corner when he stopped Alejandro Davila after six rounds in September.
They focus on technique, strategy, improving the fighter’s ring IQ, not removing opponents from their senses.
And Bohachuk has had a lot of time to work with Robles. He was scheduled to face Adams on Dec. 3 on the same platform, which would’ve been good exposure for him. However, he tested positive for COVID-19 and had to pull out of the fight.
He recovered in about two weeks, flew to Ukraine for a short visit with family and then returned to dive back into training with his new mentor.
Of course, he was disappointed after missing an opportunity to face a former title challenger – Adams was outpointed by 160-pound champ Jermall Charlo in 2019 – on national television but he quickly saw the big picture.
“I understood that it was not only my problem; the whole country was in trouble,” Bohachuk told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “And I thought about my health in general. I understood that was more important than the fight.”
In the end, Bohachuk still got his high-profile fight and more time to prepare for it.
“As soon as I came back from Ukraine I started training to catch up,” he said. “I pushed myself to the limit. I spent a lot of time with Manny Robles, learning something new, new technique every day. He tells me to become smarter in the ring.
“I’m a different Serhii Bohachuk now, much stronger, much smarter.”
Bohachuk knows that the knockout streak will end. And he couldn’t care less.
He’s ranked in the Top 10 of two of the four major sanctioning bodies, which means a shot at a world title is on the horizon. All he has to do is continue to win. The manner in which he does so isn’t important.
That’s why he spars 10 rounds in the gym, to prepare for a long fight. And he insists he is prepared for Adams (22-3, 14 KOs).
He was asked about the challenges his capable, experienced opponent will present on Thursday but brought the focus back to himself, saying repeatedly, “I’m ready, I’m ready.”
“When I step into the ring my main goal is to win the fight,” he said. “I don’t think about the knockout. It just happens because I’m powerful. If I get a knockout, if I get a decision, my goal is just to have my hand raised by the referee.
“I’m just doing my job. And so far things have gone excellently.”