Three Georgian Boxers In The Fight Of Their Lives In War Zone

Three Georgian professional boxers – Mamuka Jikurashvili, Levan and Shalva Jomardashvili – are collectively in the toughest fight of their young careers, and it’s not taking place in the four-cornered ring.

The three young fighters had an appointment to receive their visas, approved by U.S. immigration, at the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, but, unfortunately it was scheduled for the morning of the day war broke out between Russia and their native Georgia. They had applied for visas to the U.S. in order to pursue their boxing careers.

Ground transportation in Georgia was too dangerous for them to travel to the U.S. Embassy and visa services were then temporarily suspended. They are now in contact with embassies in Armenia and Buku, but they’re still unable to travel.

The Jomardashvili brothers, in fact, hail from Gory, which was the epicenter of trouble on the border to the south of Ossetia at the battle front. Bombs wiped out many houses and buildings, leaving countless citizens, including the Jomardasvilis, as refugees.

Granted, 60 of their combined 61 pro fights have been in Georgia, but Shalva, 25-0 (18), is a middleweight, Levan, 16-0 (13), a light heavyweight, and heavyweight Mamuka sports a 20-1 (14) record with his only loss to former Cuban amatuer and current undefeated pro star Odlanier Solis in Turkey.

Shalva, only 21, was 75-3 as an amateur, a five time Georgian National Champion, and winner of numerous International tournaments. His brother, 18 year old Levan, was 52-2 as an amateur and a four time Georgian National Champion. Mamukam, reigning Georgian heavyweight title-holder, was a three time Georgian National Champion as an amateur.

Boxing manager Egis Klimas of E Point K Consulting has been advising the three Georgian boxers.