The World Boxing Council has been rightfully siding with Ukraine throughout the entire time of the full-scale war, and expressed the most sincere support for Ukrainians. One of the values the WBC exhibits is the world peace, that’s why we’ve never turned a blind eye to the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine.

As a sign of great respect and gratitude for the courage and resilience, the President of WBC Mauricio Sulaimán presented a custom-made WBC World Champion belt for the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

“Mr. President Zelenskyy, I am the President of the World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaimán. All of us stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in these trying times, and we are most proud of your dedicated and arduous effort in this “championship” fight, which Ukraine is winning. God bless you! This champion belt is a token of honor, which I, on behalf of the WBC and its 170 member-states, present to you to express our fullest support. This here is an official certificate for the belt (stating the belt is made specially for President Zelenskyy). May the God help you all the way, and may peace grace the world! Thank you!”

Prior to Canelo vs Charlo fight, head of the official office of WBC in Ukraine Mykola Kovalchuk arrived to Las Vegas to personally accept the presents for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

“Mr. President, this belt is a sign of deepest respect for you, your personal heroism and heroism of our countrymen, and affection for Ukraine, and it was made special by Mauricio Sulaimán, the President of WBC. This belt is one of a kind, and nobody in the world has one like it. Moreover, your image engraved on the belt is now among the World Champions. This precious gift and many others we shall bring to Ukraine, and hand it to you personally, of course. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!”, said Mykola Kovalchuk.

One week later, on October 6, 2023, the representatives of Ukrainian boxing community and the world’s most prestigious boxing organization, World Boxing Council, had an official meeting at the Office of the President with Oleksii Dniprov, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

In particular, during the videoconference, the President of the World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaimán emphasized the full and comprehensive support of Ukraine in the struggle for freedom, independence and liberation of Ukrainian territories, the continuation and further application of the ban on russian and belarusian boxers from participating in any competitions with the WBC attached, and holding bouts for any titles of the World Boxing Council. The WBC President also noted that organization works on removing the russian flag from the organization's logo and plans to assist in rebuilding gyms that were destroyed as a result of the war crimes of the aggressor state. 

President of WBC Ukraine Mykola Kovalchuk along with WBC Ukraine adviser Ihor Faniian presented a comprehensive report on the scope of work done to provide the World Boxing Council with significant support for the restoration and development of sports in Ukraine, the organization's ongoing and systematic provision of humanitarian assistance to medical institutions in Ukraine, internally displaced persons, orphans, animal shelters and, of course, defenders of Ukraine within the framework of the WBC CARES UKRAINE charity project.

On behalf of the WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, the President of WBC Ukraine Mykola Kovalchuk presented the participants of the meeting with commemorative boxing attributes and personal belts of the WBC and WBC World Champion of Ukraine, which were made personally for the President of Ukraine with sincere wishes for a quick victory.

Along with the boxing paraphernalia was presented a book “Ukraine is Strong”, publication of which is about to be brought to life with support from the WBC and WBC Cares. Authors of the book are the U.S. general practice psychotherapist, author of “Prescription for Positivity: Life Skills to Live Your Best Life”, Harris Jensen, and WBC representative - Mykola Kovalchuk; both worked on the book throughout the war time. It is intended to help Ukrainians and people across the world prevent or overcome post-traumatic stress disorder, and learn how individuals can handle very stressful situations in their lives. All of the funds from sales of this book will be allocated to Ukraine’s war effort needs, with a digital version being available for all Ukrainian nationals free of charge.

It is worth mentioning that Chico Lopez, WBC Ambassador, also took part in this book’s writing process, contributing a story of Athos, the dog from Bucha that, together with his sister Rakata, defended Mykola Kovalchuk’s home in the russian-occupied town. As a result of barbaric and inhumane actions by the hands of russian invaders that tried to break into the house Mykola Kovalchuk and his vast family resided in, the enemy soldiers employed grenades to have the dogs killed; in the end, Rakata died on the yard, and Athos – severely wounded and concussed – never stopped defending the family property. A week after the tragic events, the dog was saved by the Ukrainian forces on the very first day Bucha was de-occupied. Defenders of Ukraine had the dog urgently rushed to the vet clinic. Veterinary doctors who treated the explosion wounds on Athos said his chances to pull through were very slim, “one out of ten”. However, Athos lived. Upon hearing the news, the WBC Ambassador Chico Lopez personally came to Ukraine despite the constant missile strikes and blackout to have the four-legged hero taken to the U.S. for rehabilitation, which is now over – the dog is doing well. For the WBC, Athos is a symbol of courage, bravery, resilience and, at the same time, infinite kindness and mellow temperament. As a sign of his respect and gratitude, Mykola Kovalchuk in a conversation with the Office of the President of Ukraine showed a video of Chico Lopez with a little puppy – Athos’ son, who was born in the United States – and informed that he plans to visit Ukraine to present Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the son of Athos, Bucha’s heroic dog, who will be the most loyal friend and companion for the President.

In addition, among the gifts was a painting by a talented world-famous boy genius, Andres Valencia, which he painted at the age of 10. He is often called the "young Picasso" because his style of painting is very similar to that of the legendary artist Pablo Picasso https://www.chasecontemporary.com/ The painting depicts russia's bloody attack on Ukraine. Through the sale of copies of this painting at charity auctions, Andres raised $250,000, and in total, young Andres Valencia raised about $750,000, which he donated to the Klitschko Foundation to implement a charity project aimed at restoring the psychological health of children and their parents affected by the war. The young artist signed the original masterpiece personally for Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the painting also showcased at the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Also, present at the meeting were the President of the National League of Professional Boxing of Ukraine, legendary boxing coach, and WBC Gouvernors Board member, Mykhailo Zavialov and the Vice-President of the NLPBU, Oleg Kuderov, who spoke on fruitful cooperation with the World Boxing Council in the fight against the russian federation and belarus in the field of sports in the form of further application of severe sanctions and successful work on the restoration, development and improvement of the level of professional boxing in Ukraine for the successful representation of Ukraine on the world stage.In turn, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksii Dniprov thanked everyone for the highest quality meeting, substantial support of Ukraine in various ways by the WBC, and invited Mauricio Sulaimán to visit the Office of the President of Ukraine for an extensive discussion on the joint projects and fruitful collaboration in the future.