Lomachenko and Kharlan: two Ukrainian sporting highs in December 2018
A look back at a boxing unification bout and a fencing World Cup title that marked a strong week for Ukrainian sport.
What did Ukrainian sport have to celebrate by 13 December 2018? Two results from the preceding days stood out, one in the boxing ring and one on the fencing piste.
On 8 December 2018, Vasyl Lomachenko beat José Pedraza and for the first time in his career unified the WBA and WBO world champion belts in the lightweight division.
Two days later, on 10 December 2018, sabre fencer Olga Kharlan won the overall standings of the 2017–2018 Fencing World Cup in the sabre discipline.
Both achievements came within days of each other and gave Ukrainian sport two notable results ahead of 13 December 2018.
