The Ukrainian light heavyweight Oleksandr Gvozdyk is to fight Anthony Hollaway at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California on Saturday on the undercard of Gabriela Fundora-Marilyn Badillo Amaya. 

Their eight-round contests represents Gvozdyk’s first since his defeat in June by David Benavidez, and the start of his attempts to rebuild as his weight division perhaps enters a new era following successive fights for the undisputed title between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. 

“Light heavyweight is one of the most exciting divisions right now in boxing,” said Gvozdyk, 37 and an Olympic bronze medallist. “There was a time right after Roy Jones Jnr when there wasn’t a lot of super interest. But then, during my early time, we had Sergey Kovalev, [Adonis] Stevenson, Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins in the light-heavyweight division. 

“It was good but now we have an undisputed world light-heavyweight champion [Bivol], a former undisputed world champ [Beterbiev], and [Benavidez, Callum Smith, Albert Ramirez and Joshua Buatsi].”

The 31-year-old Hollaway last fought in December, when defeating Germany’s Granit Stein via split decision over six rounds.

Bivol and Beterbiev are expected to fight again later in 2025, but for the IBF, WBA and WBO 175lbs titles. Benavidez, who has been upgraded to the status of WBC champion, is on course to defend his title against Callum Smith.