About Ivan Redkach
The story of El Terrible
From a small town in Ukraine to the world stage — and the gyms of Los Angeles, where he now builds the next generation of fighters. This is the long way, the only way Ivan knows.
- 24-8-1
- Professional record19 wins by knockout
- No. 3
- World-ranked at lightweight (WBA)
- 300+
- Amateur fights
“I came here with three hundred dollars and a promise. The rest I had to earn — one round at a time.”
From Shostka to the national team
Ivan Redkach was born in 1986 in Shostka, Ukraine, and laced up his first pair of gloves at six years old. His talent earned him a place at the famed Brovarsky Sports Boarding School near Kyiv — the same program that developed champions like Wladimir Klitschko.
He became a Ukrainian national amateur champion and, after more than 300 amateur fights, earned a place on the Ukrainian National Team in 2008. Boxing wasn’t a hobby — it was a way out, and a way up.
America, the hard way
In 2009, at twenty-three, Ivan left for the United States with three hundred dollars and a promise to his family that he’d bring home a champion. The first months weren’t a fairy tale — they were about survival.
He turned professional and built a world-ranked career the only way he knew how: relentless work, no shortcuts. Fighting as a southpaw with knockout power, he earned the nickname “El Terrible” and a reputation as a man nobody wanted to face.
A career at the top
In 2014 he captured the IBF-USBA lightweight title with a decision win over Tony Luis. In 2015 he fought in a lightweight world title eliminator, televised nationally on Showtime. By 2017 he was ranked No. 3 in the world at lightweight by the WBA.
Along the way he shared the ring with the best of his era — including a knockout win over former world champion Devon Alexander — and a finishing record of 24-8-1 with 19 wins inside the distance.
The record
A timeline forged the hard way
1986
Born in Shostka, Ukraine
Started boxing at six years old and never looked back.
Youth
Brovarsky Sports Boarding School
Trained at the famed Kyiv-area school that also developed Wladimir Klitschko, and became a Ukrainian national amateur champion.
2008
Ukrainian National Team
Earned a place on the national team after more than 300 amateur fights.
2009
Came to America with $300
Left for the United States at twenty-three with a promise to bring home a champion. The first months were about survival.
2014
IBF-USBA Lightweight Title
Captured the IBF-USBA lightweight title with a decision win over Tony Luis.
2015
World Title Eliminator on Showtime
Fought in a lightweight world title eliminator, televised nationally on Showtime.
2017
Ranked No. 3 in the World
Reached No. 3 in the WBA lightweight rankings during a career spent against elite competition.
Shared the ring with
- Devon Alexander
- Danny García
- Regis Prograis
- Tevin Farmer
- Argenis Mendez
- John Molina Jr.
Trained under
- Robert Garcia
- Shane Mosley
- Jose Santa Cruz
- Jack Mosley
The coach today
Passing on what the ring taught him
Today Ivan coaches in Los Angeles — from complete beginners and busy professionals to amateur and professional fighters. His approach is the same one that carried him from Shostka to the world stage: fundamentals first, discipline always, and respect for the work.
He’s also the founder of the Equal Chance Boxing Foundation, which gives young people and underserved communities the same opportunity boxing once gave him — because every champion deserves a chance.
“Discipline creates confidence. Consistency beats talent. Every session is a chance to prove you’re stronger today than you were yesterday.”