Serhii Bohachuk says this weekend’s fight carries a motivation he has never had before: his 62-year-old mother will be in the crowd to see him box live for the first time. Born in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Bohachuk describes a difficult childhood with little money, and says boxing became his only real option to change his life.
Inspired by fellow Ukrainians Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, he learned to dream big. Seeing the Klitschko brothers succeed convinced him that a world title was possible, and that belief fuelled years of hard work. Today he lives in Los Angeles, owns a house and a car, and helps his family back home — proof, he says, that dedication pays off.
Bohachuk enjoyed a strong amateur career, including a win over Olympic gold medallist Roniel Iglesias in the World Series of Boxing. In his 30-fight professional career he’s only been beaten by Brandon Adams and Vergil Ortiz. Now he prepares to face Shane Mosley Jr in Las Vegas on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
He sees Mosley Jr as a smart, technically gifted opponent and recalls sparring with him at the Apex in Las Vegas. Bohachuk believes the matchup will be compelling if Mosley turns up fully prepared. Having moved up to middleweight, he feels more comfortable and powerful compared with previous bouts when he had to cut significant weight.
The switch to 160lbs — first tested against Radzhab Butaev — made a noticeable difference, he says: more energy, more strength, and a better performance overall. That added power is something Bohachuk expects to bring into the ring against Mosley Jr.
Beyond career goals and ring tactics, the emotional element of this fight is central. His mother has rarely travelled — only once to Europe and once to Moscow — and the idea of bringing her to the US, to Las Vegas, is something he describes as almost unimaginable growing up. Now, for the first time at either amateur or professional level, she will be able to watch him compete in person.
“That is very special,” he says, adding that her presence gives him extra motivation. He frames his journey as proof that hard work and belief can overcome doubt: if other Ukrainian champions like the Klitschkos, Vasyl Lomachenko or Oleksandr Usyk can make it, so can he.
Watch Bohachuk vs Mosley live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 11pm on Sunday.