Cherviak Vows Upset Ahead Of Skoglund Clash In Sweden

By Jake Donovan

A watershed moment lies ahead of the September 19 clash between unbeaten Erik Skoglund faces Ukraine's Olekdsadr Cherviak in a regional light heavyweight title fight in Nyköping, Sweden. 

Just don't expect the visiting challenger to get caught up in the moment.

For the first time ever, the Swedish Boxing Commission granted special permission for a fight on its soil to take place over 12 three-minute rounds. The bout is well beyond the standard 12-minute distance allotted by the local commission, which—according to research from BoxingScene.com's Per Ake Persson—has in the past granted exceptions for fights to be held over six three-minute rounds and 12 two-minute rounds. 

Cherviak (15-4-1, 5KOs) respects the significance involved, but is less concerned with playing a role in the promotion than he is with making history of his own. 

"It will be great chance for me to be a part of Scandinavian boxing history and to enjoy the Viking atmosphere," notes the visiting 36-year old challenger. "I’m also fighting for my family. I have four sons and one daughter, and I want to motivate them to make a success of their lives.’’

The idea of facing an unbeaten fighter in his hometown, however means nothing to Cherviak, despite his own perils on the road. 

 

"I’m coming to Sweden to win,’’ Cherviak confidently insists. "I‘m going to spoil Erik’s celebrations and take the IBF Intercontinental belt home to the Ukraine!’’

It's a bold statement considering that all four career losses have taken outside of his native Ukraine. However, he's managed one big win on the road—a 10th round knockout of previously unbeaten Dustin Dirks more than two years ago in Hamburg, Germany. 

Neither fighter has been particularly active, perhaps in part due to waiting for this fight to materialize. Cherviak has dropped two of his last four, but is coming off of a winning performance last November at home in Ukraine.

Skoglund (22-0, 11KOs) has been more celebrated in the press in his most recent ring affairs, particuarly his last fight. The 24-year old scored a 10-round decision over aged former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson last December in Denmark.

The win capped an active year for Skoglund, who saw his competition level steadily increase in his four wins on the year. That much is not lost on his upcoming challenger.

"I respect all my opponents because I know what it takes to be a professional fighter. Erik is still very young but already experienced for his age," Cherviak observes. "He is physically strong and he good boxing skills. Like me he also fights with courage and desire. He is hungry for victory like a real Viking.’’

 

What he does question is how serious of a challenge he is viewed in the eyes of the house fighter and his supporting staff. 

 

"Maybe Erik and his team see me as another stepping-stone in his career, but they are wrong. This is going to be the toughest fight of his life,’’ Cherviak vows. 

So confident is the nine-year ring veteran that he's already envisioning the future—and perhaps the rest of his career given his advanced age—should he pull off the upset. 

  

First he has to prevail in an unusual moment in the history of boxing in Sweden.