Former world champion Oleksandr “Nails” Gvozdyk Returns this Saturday to the ring

LOS ANGELES (April 16, 2025) – Former World Boxing Council (WBC) and Lineal Light Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr “Nails” Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) returns to the ring this Saturday for an eight-round bout against Anthony Hollaway (9-7-3, 7 KOs) at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.

Gvozdyk vs. Hollaway will be streamed as part of the preliminary card on Golden Boy Promotions’ (GBP) YouTube channel.

Gvozdyk hasn’t fought since last June, when he lost a 12-round decision to David Benavidez for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World title.

Ukraine-native Gvozdyk, 37, captured a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics. “Nails” is currently world rated at No. 4 by the WBC, as well as No. 7 Ring Magazine, and No. 10 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

In 2018, Gvozdyk stopped Adonis Stevenson (29-1-1) in the 11th round of their fight in Montreal to become the new WBC and lineal world champion. Gvozdyk successfully defended his crown once, when he defeated Dgumbu (38-8) in Philadelphia by way of a technical knockout in round five.

Gvozdyk is positioned for one more light heavyweight world title shot in arguably the hottest weight classes in boxing.

The loaded, contemporary light heavyweight division features potential Hall of Fame candidates such as Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterviev, and Benavidez. Gvozdyk’s only two losses as a professional have been to two of the leading contemporary 175-pounders, Beterbiev and Benavidez. Gvozdyk suffered the only knockout of his pro career against Beterbiev and last June, the Ukrainian fighter lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Benavidez for the WBC Interim Light Heavyweight World title.

“Light heavyweight is one of the most exciting divisions right now in boxing,” Gvozdyk said. “There was a time right after Roy Jones, Jr. when there wasn’t a lot of super interest. But then, during my early time, we had Sergey Kovalev, (Adonis) Stevenson, Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins in the light heavyweight division. It was good but now we have an undisputed world light heavyweight champion (Bivol), a former undisputed world champ (Beterbiev), two World Interim Champions (Benavidez and Callum Smith), and one former World Interim Champion (Joshua Buatsi), and three Olympians (Beterbiev, Albert Ramirez and Buatsi).” 

Gyozdyk, a promotional free agent, took time from his training session to break down some of the leading light heavyweights in the world:

Dmitrii Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs), Undisputed, Unified World Light Heavyweight Champion, Kyrgyzstan

“He is so skilled with such a high boxing IQ. I was supposed to fight him (in the amateurs) at the 2013 World University Championships, but was injured and couldn’t fight, and I became champion. He is the best light heavyweight in the world. He is complete; speed, footwork, everything. In his first fight against Beterbiev, Bivol showed a little weakness going the distance. To be the best you have to beat the best and Bivol did in their second fight.”

Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs), former Undisputed, Unified World Light Heavyweight Champion, 2-time Olympian, Russia

“First, it’s his power. He is a naturally strong guy who can hurt opponents, especially when he gets them on the ropes. Some of the faster guys can give him some trouble – he is 40 – bit he neutralizes what his opponents do well.”

David “The Monster” Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs), WBC Interim Light Heavyweight World Champion, Former WBC Super Middleweight World Champion, United States

“He has tremendous hand speed who puts on relentless pressure. I’m not saying he can beat Bivol; he could with his power, but I’d still pick Bivol”

Callum “Mundo” Smith (31-2, 22 KOs), WBO Interim Light Heavyweight World Champion, former WBA Super Middleweight World Champion

“I’d really like to fight Smith for his title. He’s good, experienced and has a good jab. I believe I can beat him to become champion.”

Anthony Yarde (26-3, 24 KOs), 2016 Olympian, United Kingdom

“A good, solid fighter who has experience and a physical game. He’s a competitive fighter and one of those fighters, to be respectful, on my radar. He has a good style.”

Albert “El Vigia” Ramirez (20-0, 17 KOs), 2016 Olympian, Venezuela

“I honestly don’t know very much about him, not enough to break him down. I need to study him.”

Joshua Buatsi (19-1, 13 KOs), former WBO Interim World Cruiserweight Champion,

2016 Olympic bronze medalist, Ghana

“He was the (WBO) Interim Champion until Smith recently beat him in a good fight. He has good hands and was a good amateur, taking gold at the Olympics.”

Gvozdyk is now working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), which has a growing stable of gifted boxers including WBA & WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs), world super flyweight title challenger/WBO #1 & WBA #2 John “Scrappy” Ramirez (14-1, 9 KOs), WBA #4 rated super middleweight Darius “DFG” Fulgham (14-0, 12 KOs),former WBA Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight Champion Kareem “Supreme” Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs) and German junior welterweight Simon “Saucy” Vollmer (6-0, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

Website: www.3pointmanagement.com

Instagram: @3pointmgmt @Gvozdyk_team