This Ukrainian Fighter Has Set a New Level For Crazy Entrances… He Actually Rode in on a Horse…
If there is one thing that boxing does consistently better than MMA, it’s fighter entrances. UFC fighters, in particular, are battling against the tide in their attempts to be different. As soon one UFC entrance, you’ve pretty much seen them all. The fighter picks their music and walks in, flanked by teammates, in Reebok gear.
They’re pretty bland. Boxing offers higher production value. Who will ever forget Prince Naseem flying in on his magic carpet? Wladimir Klitschko shooting lightning out of his hands as he goes all cyborg? Or even Floyd Mayweather coming out in a sombrero and poncho to fight Oscar De La Hoya on Cinco de Mayo? Phenomenally entertaining.
One Ukrainian fighter might have beaten all of these. Denys Berinchyk decided that the best way for him to make a memorable entrance on Saturday night was to ride in on horseback. Yes. Horseback.
Up and Coming
Denys Berinchyk might not be someone that you’re familiar with just yet, but he genuinely does have pedigree. He was a member of the same Ukrainian Olympic team as Vasyl Lomachenko and Olexandr Usyk, both of whom won gold medals, while ‘Hi-Tech’ is regarded as one of the best in the world right now.
Berinchyk is no slouch. The lightweight fighter picked up a silver medal in London. The 30-year-old turned professional in 2015, and is currently 9-0, with 6 wins by stoppage. He’s definitely on a rise. However, it’s not just his devastating finishes that has everyone talking, it’s also his insane ring walks.
On Saturday night Berinchyk decided that the best way to make a memorable first impression against Jose Luis Prieto was to ride up to the ring on horseback. Wrapped in the Ukrainian national flag, and escorted by friends and family in traditional costumes, it really was quite remarkable.
🇺🇦 9-0 Ukrainian lightweight prospect Denys Berinchyk has no interest in your normal, boring ring walks. pic.twitter.com/yz3Il6AYLt
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) June 24, 2018
Mad Man
The Ukrainian has a wild history of bizarre and entertaining entrances – walk-ins don’t really apply to this man. He once rode into a venue on a motorbike, while another time he came in handcuffed, in a prison uniform, surrounded by guards. Oh and he dressed up as the bear mascot from the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics.
Clearly, this exciting prospect has no interest in your regular ring-walk. It must have somehow intimidated Prieto because Berinchyk went on to extend his unbeaten record. Highlights of his other insane entrances can be seen above and below.
Personality
In comparison, when a UFC fighter wants to be dramatic and entertaining, they really need to have a charismatic personality and win over the fans. One of the greatest ever entrances was when Irish fighter Aisling Daly had Zombie by The Cranberries as her walk-in music in Dublin. The entire crowd was on its feet.
Similarly, Darren Till chose to incite the audience with Sweet Caroline in Liverpool. The music connected with the crowd and everyone went wild. Or you could go to the next level and be Tai Tuivasa. He picks the weirdest songs, like Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On or Vanessa Carlton’s Thousand Miles. Trust me. They work.
