Andriy Kotelnyk

Andriy Kotelnyk is a Ukrainian former professional boxer, a 2000 Olympic silver medallist who went on to win the WBA super-lightweight world title in 2008.

Andriy Mykolayovich Kotelnyk, known internationally by the Germanicised name Andreas Kotelnik, was born on December 29, 1977, in Lviv, Ukraine. A decorated amateur, he won the Junior European Championship as a flyweight in 1995, and represented Ukraine at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the lightweight division, reaching the final before losing to Cuba's Mario Kindelán to take silver. Kotelnyk turned professional immediately after Sydney and built a steady record at light-welterweight, winning his first 32 professional fights before a first loss to France's Souleymane M'baye in a 2004 WBA title eliminator, followed by a further defeat to Britain's Junior Witter in 2005. He rebuilt his career with wins over former Olympian Mohamad Abdulaev and others, earning a title shot against Wales' Gavin Rees. In March 2008, Kotelnyk travelled to Cardiff and stopped defending WBA super-lightweight champion Gavin Rees with a twelfth-round technical knockout, capturing the world title and receiving a hero's welcome on his return to Lviv. He made one successful defence before losing the belt on points to Ukrainian compatriot and future pound-for-pound star Amir Khan in 2009. Kotelnyk continued fighting at a regional level for several more years before retiring in 2014 with a professional record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.

Technical orthodox boxer with sharp counter-punching and strong amateur pedigree

One of Ukraine's successful Olympic-to-professional boxing transitions during the sport's golden generation from the country

• WBA super-lightweight (light-welterweight) champion (2008-2009)
• Olympic silver medal, lightweight (2000)
• Junior European champion, flyweight (1995)