Evgeny Gradovich, known as “El Ruso Mexicano,” carved a unique path in boxing with his relentless pressure and Mexican-inspired style.
Born on August 7, 1986, in Igrim, Russia, Gradovich rose from amateur success to become the IBF featherweight champion, leaving a lasting legacy before retiring due to health concerns.
Evgeny Gradovich’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evgeny Pavlovich Gradovich |
| Nickname | “The Mexican Russian” |
| Born | August 7, 1986 |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | Approximately 5’6” (168 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2010 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1–2 million (from fight purses and sponsorships) |
| Total fights | 26 |
| Wins | 23 |
| @evgenygradovich |
Evgeny Gradovich grew up in Igrim, Siberia, and began boxing at 13. With an amateur record of 127 wins and 23 losses, he earned a spot on Russia’s national team.
Despite his success, he shifted to professional boxing in 2010, relocating to the U.S. to train full-time.
Professional Career
Gradovich turned pro in 2010 and quickly gained attention for his relentless style, earning the nickname “The Mexican Russian.”
His breakthrough came in 2013 when he upset Billy Dib to win the IBF Featherweight Title on short notice. He defended the belt three times, including a dominant TKO victory over Dib in a rematch.
However, a controversial technical decision loss to Lee Selby in 2015 ended his title reign.
Gradovich retired in 2017 with a record of 23–2–1 (9 KOs), having fought notable names like Oscar Valdez and Jayson Vélez.
Evgeny Gradovich’s Net Worth Details
Gradovich’s net worth is estimated to be between $1–2 million as of 2025, primarily from fight purses (see table below) and sponsorships during his peak years.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Date | Purse | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Valdez | April 9, 2016 | $100,000 | NABO Featherweight Title Bout |
| Billy Dib (Rematch) | November 2013 | – | IBF Featherweight Title Defense |
| Lee Selby | May 30, 2015 | – | IBF Featherweight Title Loss |
Career Records
| Opponent | Date | Result | Method | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Dib | March 1, 2013 | Win | Split Decision | Won IBF Featherweight |
| Mauricio Munoz | July 2013 | Win | Unanimous Decision | Retained IBF Title |
| Billy Dib (Rematch) | November 2013 | Win | TKO (Round 9) | Retained IBF Title |
| Lee Selby | May 2015 | Loss | Technical Decision | Lost IBF Title |
| Oscar Valdez | April 2016 | Loss | TKO (Round 4) | NABO Featherweight |
FAQs
1. Who is Evgeny Gradovich?
Evgeny Pavlovich Gradovich is a Russian former professional boxer who competed from 2010 to 2017. He held the IBF featherweight title from 2013 to 2015 and was known by the nickname “El Ruso Mexicano” (The Mexican Russian). Born on August 7, 1986, in Igrim, Siberia, Gradovich began boxing at age 13 and later relocated to the United States to pursue a full-time boxing career.
2. What was Evgeny Gradovich’s amateur record?
During his amateur career in Russia, Gradovich compiled an impressive record of 127 wins and 23 losses. This success led to him earning a spot on the Russian national boxing team before turning professional.
3. When did Evgeny Gradovich win his world title?
Gradovich won the IBF featherweight title on March 1, 2013, when he scored an upset victory over Billy Dib at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Ledyard, Connecticut. He won the fight by split decision in what was considered a significant upset at the time.
4. How many times did Gradovich defend his IBF featherweight title?
Evgeny Gradovich successfully defended his IBF featherweight title four times. His defenses included victories over Mauricio Javier Munoz, a rematch with Billy Dib, Alex Miskirtchian, and a draw against Jayson Vélez.
5. What was Evgeny Gradovich’s professional record?
Evgeny Gradovich finished his professional career with a record of 23 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. Out of his 23 victories, 9 came by knockout, showcasing his power in the ring.
6. Who defeated Gradovich for his IBF featherweight title?
Lee Selby defeated Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF featherweight title on May 30, 2015, at The O2 Arena in London, England. The fight ended in a technical decision after 8 rounds due to Gradovich suffering a cut from an accidental head clash.
7. What were some of Gradovich’s most notable fights?
Some of Gradovich’s most notable fights include:
- His IBF title win against Billy Dib in 2013
- The rematch with Billy Dib, which he won by TKO
- His title defense against Alex Miskirtchian
- The loss to Lee Selby for his title
- His final professional fight, a win against Hugo Berrio for the WBA Inter-Continental and vacant WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight titles
8. What was Gradovich’s fighting style?
Gradovich’s nickname “El Ruso Mexicano” (The Mexican Russian) suggests he may have adopted an aggressive, pressure-fighting style often associated with Mexican boxers, combined with his Russian boxing background.
9. What titles did Gradovich hold throughout his career?
Throughout his career, Evgeny Gradovich held several titles:
- IBF Featherweight World Champion (2013-2015)
- WBA Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight Champion (2017)
- WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight Champion (2017)
10. What is Evgeny Gradovich doing after retirement?
Gradovich’s post-retirement activities, his Instagram account (@evgenygradovich) suggests he remains connected to the boxing world. He describes himself as “The Mexican Russian. IBF World Champion. WBO Inter-Continental Champion. WBA Inter-Continental Champion.” This indicates he’s likely still involved in boxing in some capacity, possibly through coaching or promotional work.
