Laroslav ‘Slava’ Kovalchuk, a 46-year-old Master of Sports from Ukraine, has a storied history in the world of boxing. With over 35 years of experience in competitive boxing and coaching, Slava’s journey has taken him from the student leagues of Kyiv to training athletes in the United States. Now, residing in southern Sri Lanka, Slava is eager to share his knowledge and passion for boxing with the local community.
“I started boxing at the age of 10,” Slava recounts. “Back in 2002, I was the student league champion of Kyiv city, Ukraine. Those early years were crucial in shaping my understanding and love for the sport.”
His dedication to boxing continued, and he remained active in the ring until the age of 24, participating in national tournaments and achieving the rank of cruiserweight.
Slava’s career naturally transitioned from competing to coaching. “If you are familiar with the Soviet training system, becoming a Master of Sports was a significant achievement,” he explains. “I used to coach professionally, and my experiences in Ukraine and the USA have given me a broad perspective on training techniques and methodologies.”
Having lived in Sri Lanka for nearly three years, Slava has found a new home where he can continue his coaching journey. “Boxing here is more of a community-building activity for me,” he says. “I have this little thing here for the people who are doing it. It’s hard to find people who like boxing, but it’s inspiring to see the interest growing.”
Slava coaches at a sports club Makahiya Fitness, formed by two Brits, where he trains a diverse group of athletes, including Oleg Soldatov and Devin Woody who competed in Fight Night V.
“Oleg, 41, started boxing at the age of 12 and also played professional hockey in Russia,” Slava notes. “He dedicated his life to being a professional athlete, even though hockey was his main focus. Oleg won two fights back in Russia but had to balance his boxing career with his hockey commitments.”
When Oleg decided to get back into boxing, Slava took on the challenge of getting him back into shape. “We took several months for him to get back to his lighter speed. Now, he’s training regularly and is in great shape.”
Oleg defeated Sanka Manamperi of West Coast Boxing Club in the Super Heavy +92kg weight class.
“Devin, 13, has over six years of experience in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He has won several youth tournaments and accolades as an MMA fighter in Texas, USA,” Slava proudly shares. “Devin started doing boxing full-time with me six months ago. Although his background is primarily in MMA, he’s shown great promise in boxing.”
Woody lost to a champion boxer from Zahira College, Maradana Abdul Rahaman.
Adjusting to Sri Lanka’s climate has been a challenge for Devin. “He couldn’t breathe properly because it was too hot for him initially. But he’s looking forward to more fights and is working on improving his footwork.”
For Slava, boxing in Sri Lanka is about more than just training fighters. “We have a company registered here, and my daughter goes to school here. It’s about giving something back to the community,” he emphasizes. “I’ve noticed a huge interest in the sweet science of boxing, even here in the south. There are solo fighters in Colombo, and it’s a great opportunity for them to grow.”
Slava believes Sri Lanka has significant potential for sports tourism. “People come here as tourists from Russia and Germany, who are into boxing. They find that the climate and conditions here can be very effective for conditioning. There’s every potential to train with the resources available and offer it on the right level.”
“I understand that coaches here might be looking for government support, but my focus is on experience exchange,” Slava says. “I’m more than willing to visit schools, talk to people, and share my knowledge. It’s not about stepping on anyone’s toes, but rather contributing to the growth of boxing here.”
Slava’s journey from Ukraine to the USA and now to Sri Lanka is a testament to his dedication and love for boxing. As he continues to train and inspire the next generation of fighters, his impact on the local community is profound. With his wealth of experience and passion for the sport, Laroslav ‘Slava’ Kovalchuk is poised to elevate the boxing scene in Sri Lanka.
