Dr. Kopytko: "After I destroy my opponents face in the ring, I will repair the damage free of charge"

02.09 - Chicago is known as an ethnic melting pot. An unofficial 300,000+ Ukrainians live in Chicagoland. Having shown tremendous support to the famed Klitschko brothers, Chicago's Ukrainian community is gearing up to support Wladimir Klitschko's Olympic teammate Vitaliy Kopytko when he makes his Chicago debut this Friday.

Vitaliy "Dr. TKO" Kopytko believes he has finally found the right promoter and support he needs to win a world title. Having recently moved to Chicago in search of better opportunities, Kopytko begins his run at a title on Friday, September 5th under the guidance of Bobby Hitz of Hitz Boxing.

Kopytko said, "Bobby made me a great offer. I believe he can lead me to the Super Middleweight World Title shot I've been waiting for. I´ve been mismanaged in the past. Now Hitz Boxing will keep me active and should have me in a position to fight for a title next year."

Kopytko continued, "There is a huge community of Ukrainians here, so Chicago almost feels like home. I´m very happy to be living and training here with Sam Colonna at Windy City." Chicago has a very tight-knit Ukrainian community estimated at more than 300,000.

Kopytko began boxing as a boy in his hometown of Ivano-Frankivsk and quickly fought his way to his first National title- Soviet Junior National Champion. He went on to win 5 Ukrainian National Championships, competed in the 1994 Goodwill Games and amassed an amateur record of 185-15.

While training under the strict guidance of the Soviet and later Ukrainian National programs, Kopytko made time to graduate from the University of Kiev`s Medical School in 1994. He took time off from his medical practice to travel to Atlanta in 1996 as the Captain of Ukraine´s Olympic Team.

A dermatologist, Dr. Kopytko states, "After I destroy my opponents face in the ring, I will repair the damage free of charge."

Promoter Bobby Hitz stated, "Vitaliy´s professional record of 20-5 is deceptive. If you look at his European pro record, you can see that his manager was incompetent. Training in the Soviet program made Vitaliy highly skilled. He has a hell of a chin and I think he can win a title."

Added Kopytko, "I didn´t lose those fights in England. I was fighting Frank Warren fighters. And here in the US, I beat Willie Stewart and Richard Grant. It was politics. I would love a rematch with either one of those guys."

Kopytko and six of Chicago´s most promising undefeated prospects fight on Friday, September 5th at The Ramada Hotel Oâ?THare located at 6600 N. Mannheim Road in Rosemont, IL. Doors open at 7:30pm. First bout at 8pm. Tickets are $35, $50 and $100 and available from Hitz Boxing- 630/295-9800.

For more information: www.HitzBoxing.com