Mitrofanov: Honor is more expensive than medals, I support the junior team of Ukraine

WBO Oriental junior middleweight champion Dmitry Mitrofanov supported the decision junior team of Ukraine boxing to leave the European Championship.

“I support our junior team [в решении] not comply with the humiliating conditions of the IBA to enter the ring under a neutral flag. Honor is more valuable than medals. Glory to Ukraine!” the boxer said in a video message.

Mitrofanov is a bronze medalist of the 2011 European Championship, a participant in the Rio Olympics. Dmitry held his last fight in December 2021, defeating Kazakhstani boxer Berikbay Nurimbetov.

Earlier, the Ukrainian junior boxing team left the European Championship, which takes place in Italy. This decision was made after the International Boxing Federation (IBA) did not allow the Ukrainian team to compete in Italian Montesilvano under the national flag.

Recall that due to the conflict between the FBU and the IBA, the junior team of Ukraine was forced to compete at the European Boxing Championship, which takes place in Italy, under a neutral flag. However, Ukrainian athletes held a protest against this decision and refused to compete at the European Championships.

President of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine Kirill Shevchenko said that the decision of the IBA is directly related to Volodymyr Prodivus, who holds the post of vice president in the organization. Prodivus himself, commenting on the scandal with the Ukrainian team, promised to resolve the situation.

Earlier, the IBA suspended the activities of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine. The organization considered that the state bodies of Ukraine were interfering in the work of the sports organization.