Ukrainian heavyweight prospect Vladyslav Sirenko (13-0, 12 KOs) is well aware of critical comments from boxing fans about the level of opposition he faced at the first stage of his career when he fought mostly in South Africa. "People were saying I was fighting bums? I'm not arguing it. Not that I was ashamed of my history in South Africa, I just had no other choice. I was just boxing the guys they put against me. I even came for a weigh-in and did not understand who my rival was. So I didn't worry about it, to be honest. Yes, I boxed with bums, but what could I do? I did not have any contracts at that time, no one could pay to find me good opponents. If I fought them, it does not mean that I didn't want to fight the best. A good opponent always wants to get a decent fee for the fight. Nobody wants to go out and fight for free. This is a job, and not an easy one", Sirenko told XSport Channel. Source - http://boxingworld.com.ua/en/novyny-2/551-sirenko-is-brutally-honest-yes-i-fought-bums-in-africa
Gotta respect for his honesty for this guy. Hope he makes if big and gets big fights soon. Haven't seen any of his fights but will try to see some.
At 13-0, most guys have only fought bums by this point anyway. It is normal and the right thing to do.
For real, you don't even have to make excuses for fighting bums - it's expected. The only guys who'd get criticized for fighting bums with this many fights is Loma and maybe Rigo when he was still around.
Respect to the young man. Integrity means a lot. Hope he is very successful and fights for a title someday without getting corona virus. lol!
