Former IBF, WBC and WBO Regional and European Heavyweight Champion Volodymyr Virchis Dies at 48
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Kiev, Ukraine (January 29th, 2022)– In professional boxing’s latest tragedy during the Coronavirus Pandemic, former International Federation Inter-Continental, World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental, former European Heavyweight champion, and World Boxing Council Regional Champion Volodymyr Virchis has died at age 48. The death, as reported by Ukrainian media, occurred last week, was a suicide in the midst of a murder investigation involving a substantial debt not repaid and a murder involving a friend.
Ukrainian media, citing law enforcement, stated Virchis committed suicide by hanging. The boxer’s friends confirmed the death on ICTV facts. Virchis had been depressed recently, and the day before he died, he left home and disappeared. His wife contacted the police when the former IBF WBC and WBO Regional and European champion did not return home.
Virchis, also spelled Vyrchys, 26-2 with 21 knockouts, Kiev, Ukraine, held the Ukrainian Heavyweight title, World Boxing Council CISBB Heavyweight title, International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental Heavyweight, the World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental Heavyweight titles, and the EBU European Heavyweight title. In September 2008, Virchis showed up drunk for a World Boxing Council World Heavyweight title eliminator against Juan Carlos Gomez, somehow went the distance, and lost the 12 round decision. In October 2009, Virchis returned, winning a six round decision over 19-19 Latvian journeyman Edgar Kalnars in his final ring appearance at age 35. In retirement, Virchis owned and operated a small farm growing onions and wheat.
The Ukrainian media reported the boxer allegedly committed suicide due to depression. On January 5, 2022, a message appeared on Virchis’ Facebook page which may indicate complex emotional and psychological issues. Virchis stated on Facebook “Surely there will be, God forbid, of course, people who (have) reached a state of despair after they were “thrown” (to the wolves) by close friends on trust? Experience, I think, many will be interested, they are just shy. If anything, write (to me) in private. It looks a little strange when boxers ask for help.”
The complex issues involving Virchis emotional and financial difficulties, and death by suicide involved an unrepaid debt and what has evolved into a major murder case still under investigation in Ukraine, involving the friend of Virchis who did not repaid the substantial debt to him.
In the summer of 2020, Virchis addressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on video on his Facebook regarding the accusation of Vladislav Manger in the case of the murder of Handziuk. Journalist Denis Kazansky said in a telegram that before his death, Virchis came to court in the activist Katerina Handziuk murder case. Virchis publicly demanded that Vladislav Manger return his debt. In response, Manger asked Virchis “not to make a scene.” Virchis had previously enjoyed a warm friendship and relationship with Vladislav Manger, the former chairman of the Kherson Regional Council. Currently, Manger is jailed as one of the suspects in the murder case of policcal activist Katerina Handziuk. The Kiev court investigation states Manger ordered the murder of the activist. On January 20, 2022, the Court of Appeal decided to keep Manger in custody until at least February 4, 2022, without the right to post bail.
On the January 27, 2022, the body of Virchis was found dead of suicide by hanging on Raisa Okipna Street in Kiev. His body was identified by his wife the next day. Virchis survived by his wife and a daughter. The police investigation, which encompasses both suicide and murder, is still ongoing.
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