The city of Ust-Ilimsk, Irkutsk region, through the eyes of a resident

The city of Ust-Ilimsk is the city where I spent my childhood and youth. I lived there for a full 16 years, after which I went first to Irkutsk, then to Krasnodar, and now I live in Sevastopol. But I still remember the Ust-Ilimsk winters, the severe frost and sizzling heat, the Angara, the hydroelectric power station and the taiga. It is the taiga - remote, dark and so bewitching - that I miss here in the south.

Ust-Ilimsk

Story

In 1965, the executive committee of the Irkutsk Regional Council of Workers' Deputies approved the workers' settlement of Ust-Ilim as part of the Bratsk district. In 1968, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, the Ust-Ilimsky district was formed (from territories alienated from the Bratsk and Nizhne-Ilimsky districts) with its center in the working village of Ust-Ilim. In 1973, the working village of Ust-Ilim was given the status of a city of regional subordination. December 27, 1973 is considered the Day of Formation of the city of Ust-Ilimsk.

The city construction plan was developed by a group of students from the Leningrad University of Architecture and Civil Engineering as part of writing a graduation project on the topic “City of My Dreams,” the main idea of ​​which was the construction of a city in the taiga. When constructing residential areas, the main idea was taken into account, so they tried to cut down as few trees as possible for auxiliary areas. That is why inside the residential areas of the New City you can find islands of centuries-old taiga. The new city has similarities in the layout of residential areas with the areas of St. Petersburg built in the 1980s.

• Newsreel of Ust-Ilimsk
• Photos of villages flooded by the Ust-Ilimsk hydroelectric power station
• Boguchanskaya HPP and Ust-Ilimsk region: consequences of flooding

Mass media

Newspapers

Currently, several newspapers are published in the city:

• municipal “Ust-Ilimsk official”,
• information and news “Bulletin of the Ust-Ilimsk LPK”,
• free advertising “WhatWhere is Ust-Ilimsk”.

A television

Today, there are 3 cable television networks operating in the city: “Ilimsk Regional Television”, “Cable Networks”, “UI TRK”.

Digital terrestrial television is represented by 20 TV channels for the RTRS-1 and RTRS-2 multiplexes.

Internet

There are 7 Internet providers in the city:

• LLC "Cable Networks";
• LLC "Ilim-Telecom";
• Telnet LLC;
• LLC "UI TRK";
• Rostelecom";
• Region Telecom LLC;
• CJSC TransTeleCom.

Radio

• 68.48 VHF – Radio Russia / Irkutsk State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company;
• 66.80 VHF – Radio Mayak / Irkutsk State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company;
• 88.9 FM – Road radio;
• 91.3 FM – Radio Russia / Irkutsk State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company;
• 101.3 FM – Radio 7 on Seven Hills;
• 101.7 FM – Europe Plus;
• 102.2 FM – Autoradio;
• 102.7 FM – Comedy Radio;
• 103.2 FM – Radio Dacha;
• 103.7 FM – Russian radio;
• 104.1 FM – Humor FM LLC;
• 104.7 FM – Radio Chanson;
• 105.1 FM – Retro FM;
• 107.4 FM – MSM Radio;
• 107.9 FM – Hit FM.

mobile connection

There are 6 cellular operators in the city:

• Tele2;
• MTS;
• Beeline;
• Megaphone;
• Yota;
• Rostelecom.

BaikalWestcom, which had been operating for a long time, became part of the Tele2 holding in 2015.

Climate

Ust-Ilimsk belongs to the territory equated to the regions of the Far North. The climate is sharply continental. The cold period lasts on average 255 days. The average long-term duration of the frost-free period is 95-105 days. The first frosts in the city are recorded on September 6, the last - on June 6.

The average monthly temperature in January is -25.6 °C (absolute -56 °C), July +17.5 °C (absolute +37 °C). The average annual temperature is -3.9 °C.

On average, about 500 mm of precipitation falls annually, of which 60% falls in May–August.

The average depth of snow cover is 450 mm, it persists for 180-195 days (from late October to May).

Demographics of Ust-Ilimsk

The city has seen a downward population trend over the past couple of decades. This is mainly due to the migration of young people to more economically developed cities in the region and other constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

On September 19, 1985, the 100,000th resident of Ust-Ilimsk, Tanya Sumina, was born.

For almost 20 years (from 1985 to 2004) Ust-Ilimsk was a city with a population of more than 100 thousand people.

In 1992, the city had a maximum number of residents - 114,000. In 2000 - 105 thousand people, in 2005 - 99 thousand people, at the beginning of 2022 - 80,419 people, at the beginning of 2022 - 79,746 people.

Thus, the city reflects the general trend towards a decrease in the population of cities in the Irkutsk region. However, Ust-Ilimsk is in 4th place in terms of population among the cities in the region after Irkutsk, Bratsk and Angarsk and is classified as a medium-sized city.

Transport accessibility

Distance to Irkutsk by rail - 1459 km; by road - 883 km; by air route - 650 km. The distance to Bratsk by road is 260 km.

City transport is represented by a network of municipal bus routes and minibuses. The route network covers all urban areas and nearby suburbs, such as the village. Zheleznodorozhny, Nevon, Karapchanka, etc. There is also a tram system, which is officially considered high-speed. The tram connects one of the city districts with the timber industry complex and holiday villages.

The Ust-Ilimsk railway station is located in the suburban village of Zheleznodorozhny, connected to the city by bus. It is located on the dead-end 214-kilometer railway line Khrebtovaya—Ust-Ilimsk of the East Siberian Railway. There is a passenger service - trains run to Taishet and Irkutsk via Zheleznogorsk-Ilimsky (Korshunikha-Angarskaya station) and Bratsk, direct carriages to Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk.

The city is connected by intercity bus service with Bratsk and Irkutsk.

Air routes:

• Flight No. SL 55 Irkutsk - Ust-Ilimsk;

• Flight No. SL 60 Krasnoyarsk - Ust-Ilimsk.

Ust-Ilimsk Airport

Cultural institutions

Palaces of culture:

• Palace of Culture "Friendship";
• Palace of Culture named after. I. I. Naimushina, which became the XL cinema and concert complex in 2003;
• Cinema "Yarosama", which became Dosugov in 2002.

Museums, theaters, galleries:

• Art Gallery;
• Museum of Local Lore;
• Drama and Comedy Theater.

Centralized library system:

• Library named after Yu.F. Fedotova;
• Art Library;
• Social and leisure library;
• Central Children's Library "Primrose";
• Children's library "Rodnichok";
• Central City Library named after. N.S. Klestov-Angarsky.

Art schools:

• Art School No. 1;
• School of Arts No. 2 named after. T.G. Safiulina.

City infrastructure

The city consists of two parts - the left bank, the so-called Old Town, and the right bank, the so-called New Town. They are located at some distance from each other. The Old City is located downstream of the Ust-Ilimsk Hydroelectric Power Station, the New City is higher. Connected by road and bridge across the Angara. Despite the fact that the right bank part of the city is much younger, the majority of the population lives there. Most scientific and cultural institutions are located here. 'The new city is taller and more modern than the Old. Mostly nine- and ten-story buildings were already built here, but there are also five fourteen-story buildings. The old town consists mainly of two- and five-story houses, villages (Vysotka, Nevon) and summer cottages.

Ust-Ilimsk in art

The city (then still a settlement of hydraulic workers) was brought to fame by Alexandra Pakhmutova’s song “Letter to Ust-Ilim” (1963) performed by Maya Kristalinskaya.

Alexander Vampilov wrote the story “Ticket to Ust-Ilim.”

In 1972, the children's feature film “The Fifth Quarter” was released. The main character, thirteen-year-old Leningrader Anton, instead of going to summer pioneer camp, comes to his older brother for the construction of the Ust-Ilimsk hydroelectric power station.

“Like the Ust-Ilimsk hydroelectric power station, you will stand between potholes...” - words from Boris Grebenshchikov’s song “Ode to a Critic.” For some reason, the Ust-Ilimsk hydroelectric power station is mentioned in the masculine gender.

Population

Education

Preschool educational institutions

General educational institutions

Institutions of additional education

The city is also home to a branch of the Baikal State University and a branch of the Irkutsk Energy College.

Museum of Local Lore

The main thing is stored here - the history and modernity of Ust-Ilimsk. 10 permanent exhibitions that reveal the uniqueness of young Ust-Ilimsk, the stages of its formation and development, the nature of the local region and the creative potential of local residents.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, Karl Marx Ave., 67 Telephone: 8 (39535) 3-06-08 Website: https://ilimsky-museum.rf/

Art Gallery

Center of cultural life of the city. Personal exhibitions of local artists, guests from the regional center, a meeting and communication place for talented, creative city residents (artists, photographers, poets, musicians).

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, Mira Ave., 7 Telephone: 8 (39535) 5-98-08 Website: https://uigallery.ru/

Department of folk arts and crafts of the School of Arts No. 2 named after. T.G. Safiulina

One of 17 basic centers of folk arts and crafts in the Irkutsk region. Within the walls of the folk crafts department there is an exhibition hall where you can see the results of the educational and creative process. Excursions and master classes are regularly held for city guests.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, st. Heroev Truda, 51 Phone: 8 (39535) 5-89-51 Website: https://art-folk.narod.ru/

Retro garage

A unique attraction of Ust-Ilimsk and the Irkutsk region. The private collection of rare cars is represented by dozens of exhibits. The Mercedes 189 is considered especially valuable. At the moment, no more than five Mercedes-Benz Adenauer models remain in Russia. And one of them is in Ust-Ilimsk! You can see vintage cars on Tuesdays from 14.00 to 17.00.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, st. 50 years of Komsomol, 24 Phone: 8 9246350939

Resort "Rus"

Siberian health resort year-round. The resort is located among pristine nature on the banks of the Ust-Ilimsk reservoir in a suburban area. A special feature of the health resort is the comprehensive restoration of health through the combination of traditional, classical - evidence-based and oriental medicine.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, st. Heroev Truda, 57 Phone: 8 (39535) 5-99-23, 5-99-60 Website: https://resort-rus.rf/

Church of All Saints who shone in the Russian Land

Center for Spiritual Life of Ust-Ilimsk. Located at the entrance to the right bank part of the city. It impresses with its beauty and atmosphere, which attracts a large number of pilgrims. The relic of the temple is considered to be an ark containing many particles of the relics of famous saints. Including Nicholas the Wonderworker, Theophan the Recluse, Matrona of Moscow.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, Karl Marx Ave., 4 Telephone: 8 (39535) 5-24-23 Website: https://uikovcheg.narod.ru/

Temple of St. Sophronius

The first Orthodox church in Ust-Ilimsk. It contains two main revered icons of Irkutsk saints. On the icon of St. Innocent of Irkutsk, the icon painter depicted the blessing hand of the saint as larger, disproportionate to the rest of the image. A particle of the saint’s relics is enclosed in this hand. A miraculous phenomenon occurred with the second icon of St. Sophronius of Irkutsk: the image of the saint was imprinted on the glass that covers the icon, but does not come into contact with it. St. Sophronius Church is especially revered among parishioners.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, st. Entuziastov, 27 Phone: 8 (39535) 6-35-32

Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame begins with a memorial sign dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Great Victory of the Soviet people over Nazi Germany. It is a concrete memorial complex: three six-meter stars reach into the sky, symbolizing the triumph of the Victory of the Soviet people over Nazi Germany, soldier and labor valor. The names of the Angarsk and Ilimsk defenders who died in the Great Patriotic War are carved on the granite slabs of the complex. Traditionally, on Victory Day, rallies and flower-layings are held at this place in memory of the heroes. Near the memorial there are guns, a tank, a Monument to soldiers who died in the performance of international duty in Afghanistan and Chechnya, as well as a memorial sign to law enforcement officers of the city of Ust-Ilimsk who died in peacetime in the line of duty. Nearby there is a Monument to the Russian Soldier. At a distance of 300 meters is the Poklonny Cross, erected by local Cossacks in honor of the erection of the Ilimsk fort in 1607. The complex of objects ends with the Chapel in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Dead,” on the territory of which there is an Alley of Memory of Soldiers of the Afghan and Chechen Wars. These attractions among the islands of taiga greenery are a favorite place for relaxation and walks for citizens, as well as guests of Ust-Ilimsk.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, st. Dreamers

Obelisk of Glory, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Great Victory of the Soviet people over Nazi Germany

The Obelisk of Glory in Ust-Ilimsk is made in the form of two steles depicting a bayonet and a trowel made of concrete with the inscriptions: “1945 – Creation – 1975” and “1941 – Victory – 1945”. The Red Army bayonet represents victory, the trowel – the builder-creator. Not far from the steles there is a concrete pedestal with the names of people who died on the battlefields in the Great Patriotic War. On memorable dates, ceremonial meetings, rallies and meetings of veterans are traditionally held at the Obelisk of Glory in Ust-Ilimsk. In 2014, due to the flooding of the reservoir bed of the Boguchany Hydroelectric Power Station, a monument to the residents of the village of Keul who died in the Great Patriotic War was moved to the Obelisk of Glory.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, crossroads st. 50 years of the Komsomol - st. Naimushina

Memorial sign “Letter to Komsomol members of the 21st century”

The monument “Letter to Komsomol members of the 21st century” is represented by a composition in the form of a stylized banner wrapped in a spiral, inside of which there is a sphere symbolizing the globe - a symbol of friendship, peace, a symbol of the fact that builders from different parts of the planet have gathered in Ust-Ilimsk. The canvas of the stylized banner is made in the form of steps. Each step is an interorder, which seems to flow into the general flow, forming a single whole. The main idea of ​​the monument is that only by uniting everyone together can they build a giant on the Hangar.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, crossroads st. Romantikov - st. Naimushina

Memorial sign to A.N. Radishchev

Dedicated to the Russian writer, philosopher, who made a significant contribution to the study of the Siberian land. The memorial sign is made in the form of a composition of two shackles. On it is a bas-relief of A.N. Radishchev and his words: “Do you want to know who I am? What am I? Where am I going? I'm the same as I was. And I will be all my life. Not a cattle, not a tree, not a slave, but a man! I’m going to the Ilimsky prison.” On the side surfaces there are pictures of forts and the route of Radishchev to exile in the Ilimsk fort is indicated. In addition, there are also bas-reliefs and personalized monograms of Catherine II and Paul I with excerpts from their decrees on exile and release from it, respectively.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, st. Dreamers, district no. 14

Stele "Production Association "Ust-Ilimsk Timber Industry Complex"

The metal structure is made on a concrete base in the form of three pipes of equal diameter, wrapped in a metal sheet. On the top of the pipes on the city side there is the coat of arms of Ust-Ilimsk, on the LPK side there is the LPK emblem. In 2022, the stele was updated. The restorers preserved the historical heritage and practically did not affect the load-bearing structures of the Soviet building. In accordance with the requirements of the time, the stele was supplemented with modern design elements and technical characteristics. In particular, three-dimensional structures made of LED modules and night illumination spotlights were installed. In 2022, next to the stele, work began on the creation of the Heroes' Square of the UI LPK with commemorative logging equipment. On life-size pedestals, 5 samples of equipment with which logging began in the Ust-Ilimsk region were installed. The collection will be replenished. The Alley of Heroes will also appear here. According to the authors, the square should become a place of leisure with a historical and educational slant.

Address: intersection of st. Heroes of Labor and the road to the Timber Industry Complex

Cultural heritage sites in Ust-Ilimsk are also represented by unique mosaic and birch bark panels, bas-reliefs, stained glass windows, frescoes, paintings by famous artists and sculptors: G.V. Cheremushkina, O.P. Filatcheva, M. A. Arutseva-Laur and V. A. Laura.

Stylized Museum of Wooden Architecture "Ilimsky Fortress"

Located on the territory of the Rus Resort. Construction of the facility began in 2022. Today, mini-copies of the corner and Spasskaya towers of the Ilimsk fort have already been built, and the construction of the Bell Tower (the height of a 6-story building) is being completed. The frame of the Kazan Chapel was laid next to the bell tower. The stylized museum of wooden architecture is an appeal to history, to the theme of the Ilimsk Voivodeship, which played a huge role in the development of Siberia, in the great geographical discoveries of the 18th century under the leadership of Vitus Bering. On the territory of the “Ilimsk fort”, the younger generation studies the features of wooden architecture of Siberian masters, the features of the life of Ilim peasants. The object is included in the excursion program of the three-day “Ilim Mosaic” tour, developed as part of Ust-Ilimsk’s participation in the international tourism project “Routes of the Great Northern Expedition”.

Wildlife Center

The miracle of a small Siberian town. A three-meter python, a Nile crocodile, an affectionate iguana, a mischievous raccoon, a shy wolf, the queen of animals - the lioness Lyalya. Within the walls of the center there are more than 20 species of arthropods, reptiles, mammals and birds.

Address: Ust-Ilimsk, st. Heroes of Labor, 57. Opposite the resort "Rus" Phone: 8 9025766299 Website: https://vk.com/ekzotariumui

Skalnik Five brothers

Natural monument of regional significance. Located 3 km from the shore of the Gluboky Bay of the Ust-Ilimsk Reservoir. The remains themselves are slopes up to 40 meters high. Like many natural attractions of the Ust-Ilimsk region, the Five Brothers rock formation is a unique object. Strong magnetic anomalies are observed here. If you hold a compass close to a rock, the needle can turn 180 degrees. Even if you put mystical phenomena aside, this rock climber will make your heart beat faster (especially at the very top). Here you feel like a bird soaring over the endless expanses of the taiga. On the territory of the rocky area there is a species listed in the Red Book of the Irkutsk Region - Dwarf Lily.

Skalnik Three sisters

Located on the right bank of the reservoir between the city and the village of Karapchanka. The climbing frame itself is divided into three parts. There is a hypothesis that if you look at the rocks from the sea, you can distinguish the outlines of three women. The rock climbing area is an excellent training ground for rock climbing and practicing mountaineering techniques. Here you can hold orienteering and tourist all-around competitions. A good climbing shoe for family recreation and enjoying nature. In summer this is a good place for swimming. There are underwater caves.

Ilimsky Canyon

The 110-meter deep fault, which arose about 200 million years ago, is visible even from a satellite. According to geologists, the cause of its occurrence was the movement of tectonic plates. According to an alternative point of view, the canyon was formed after a meteorite fell. The canyon surprises with the diversity of its natural landscape - basalt blocks taller than human height, mosses and ferns. Inside the Canyon there is a life of its own: red pikas and striped chipmunks are not afraid of people, they boldly show themselves to humans. Everyone who visits the canyon notes its power and special energy.

Mount Silakhta

Silakhta is shrouded in many legends. Some consider it the tomb of Genghis Khan, others – the burial mound of the Tatar-Mongol conquerors, while others even claim that Silakhta is nothing more than the remains of an ancient pyramid. It has a ring shape and looks like two connected cones, one higher than the other. The height of the mountain is 544 meters, and not every traveler is ready to conquer it. Rumor has it that 8 years ago, when a group of tourists began climbing the mountain, the clear and warm weather suddenly gave way to gusty winds and pea-sized hail. Despite the fact that the mountain is located near the roadway, it is not easy to find. But accompanied by experienced guides, Silakhta is accessible to people. Thousands of tourists visit it every year.

Lake Ilim

Located 18 kilometers from the city. The depth of Ilim is 111 m. The estimated age is 25 million years. Versions about the origin are different. One of the opinions is that the lake was formed in a hole from a meteorite fall. The lake is flowing. From the north, the Merge spring, flowing from under the Silyakhtinsky ridge, is filled with crystal water. A stream flows out of the lake on the south side. Peled and carp are found in Ilim. The lake is one of the favorite vacation spots for residents of the city and region. A special atmosphere of calm and harmony reigns here.

Badarminsky fault

A unique natural site is located next to Badarminsky Bay and begins thirty meters from the shore. The appearance of the fault leaves no one indifferent, because these are several parallel cracks and many caves formed in the earth’s crust under the influence of tectonic movements. They are located on an area of ​​approximately 5 hectares. There are 2 bowls in the fault. A large bowl 92 meters deep is one third filled with emerald water. The small bowl, 30 meters deep, has a vague outline. It is filled with water 1 meter. Studies have shown that the water in the fault is slightly mineralized. Old-timers say that the Badarminsky fault existed even before the launch of the Ust-Ilimsk hydroelectric power station. There are many legends surrounding this natural site. The main one says that the Badarminsky fault has its own owner - a huge sturgeon. It is generally accepted that the fault area has a special energy and it is unsafe to stay on it for a long time. Nevertheless, the Badarminsky Fault is popular among residents and guests of the city. In the summer, groups of tourists visit it almost every day.

mass media

1. Newspaper " Ust-Ilimsk official " . Editor-in-Chief: Elena Sergeevna Razuvaeva. Founder: Administration of the city of Ust-Ilimsk. Editorial and publisher address: 666683, Russian Federation, Irkutsk region, Ust-Ilimsk, st. Heroes of Labor, 38. Tel. editorial office: (39535) 98-274, fax: (39535) 98-200. Email: [email protected]
2. Newspaper " Bulletin of the Ust-Ilimsk LPK " . Editor-in-Chief: Tatyana Anatolyevna Kostitsyna. Tel.: 8(39535)6-12-43. E-mail

Economy of Ust-Ilimsk

The basis of the city's economy is made up of manufacturing enterprises, which account for more than 65.1% of the total production of products, works and services in the city of Ust-Ilimsk.

As of 01/01/2020 On the territory of the municipality, 906 small and medium-sized businesses operate with 7,271 employees, the number of registered individual entrepreneurs is 2,129 people.

The share of people employed in small businesses as of January 1, 2020 was 28.1% of the city’s economically active population.

The total volume of investments for 2022 amounted to 10,389.73 million rubles, which is 4.1% lower than last year. The main enterprise for investing in fixed capital on the territory of the municipality is the branch of JSC Ilim Group in Ust-Ilimsk. The volume of investments of the enterprise for the current period amounted to 10,067 million rubles.

The average number of employees working at city enterprises in 2022 was 24.0 thousand people.

The average monthly accrued wages (without social payments) per employee for 2022 amounted to 48,511 rubles, and compared to 2022 increased by 4.2%. There is an increase in wages in the manufacturing industry - 11.5%; water supply, sewerage, organization of waste collection and disposal, pollution elimination activities - 36.8%; activities in the field of information and communications – 32.2%.

There are no wage arrears in the municipality as of January 1, 2022.

The city's unemployment rate for 2022 was 2.56%, up from 0.94% for 2022.

City budget for 2022

In terms of income – 2 billion. 932 million 291 thousand rubles, including:

• tax and non-tax revenues – 852 million 387 thousand rubles;
• gratuitous receipts – 2 billion. 079 million 904 thousand rubles, of which the volume of interbudgetary transfers from other budgets of the budget system of the Russian Federation in the amount of 2 billion. 080 million 150 thousand rubles;

In terms of expenses – 2 billion. 970 million 835 thousand rubles.

The budget deficit is 38 million 544 thousand rubles.

Natives and residents

1. Pavel Aleksandrovich Belov (December 18, 1977) is a Russian physicist involved in the development of optical metamaterials. Winner of the Russian Presidential Prize in the field of science and innovation for young scientists.
2. Rustam Fazail oglu Orujov (born in Ust-Ilimsk) - Azerbaijani judoka, silver medalist of the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2022 World Championships. European champion (2016), winner of the Grand Prix (2013) and the Grand Slam tournament (2013), silver medalist of the European Cup 2011. Bronze medalist of the World Cup. In the world rankings for August 2022, he took first place.
3. Viktor Biryukov - international master of sports in powerlifting, European champion, world champion;
4. Svetlana Davydova - international master of sports in powerlifting, four-time champion of the Irkutsk region in powerlifting;
5. Olga Berseneva - master of sports of Russia in powerlifting, multiple champion of Russia among veterans, silver medalist of the European championships in powerlifting;
6. Alexander Moiseev - silver medalist of the European Youth Judo Championship;
7. Jafar Asadov - 2008 world champion in kickboxing;
8. Vladimir Moiseev - silver medalist of the 2008 World Law Enforcement Championships, 2008 Asian champion in combat sambo;
9. Inna Sagaidakovskaya - Russian boxing champion 2010;
10. Anatoly Shevchenko is a world police boxing champion.