Shaternikova: “Lomachenko loves Ukraine very much”

Vice President of the Professional Boxing League of Ukraine Alina Shaternikova stated that the controversial statements of the ex-world champion in three divisions Vasily Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KO) about the church and silence about the war against the Russian Federation do not indicate his anti-Ukrainian position.

“In fact, for some, this is an ambiguous question. For me, this is a clear question. I am not ready to comment on his personal life and statements that relate, for example, to religion. How he feels and what kind of priest he communicates with - this, I think, is a very closed topic for every person. Maybe it shouldn't be made public.

But that's his business. I know for sure that this is a man who loves his land very much, loves Ukraine very much. Even when there was no such rise in patriotic mood, when Vasya was 14-16 years old, he always presented his opponent with a small ensign of Ukraine when he entered the ring. It was both abroad and at national level competitions.

If he did not treat Ukraine warmly, then he has every opportunity to live wherever he wants. When we last talked after his fight in New York, he said: “That's it, I'm flying away, I want to go home. I have nothing to do in other countries. For me, my native land is my native land. I will never agree to live in another country." For me personally, this is unambiguous, ”said Shaternikova in an interview with the Pershiy TV channel.