Though both fighters hail from the same country, they bring vastly different styles into the ring.

Maksym Molodan is a classic amateur technician—one of the long-standing leaders of Ukraine’s amateur boxing scene. Dmytro Rybalko, while also from an amateur background, boxes with an unorthodox flair.

Molodan is a textbook southpaw—measured, technical, disciplined. Rybalko is his exact opposite: a wild-card switch-hitter, throwing punches from awkward angles and making it very hard for opponents to adapt.

Molodan is the younger of the two—25 years old—but far more experienced. He’s logged more amateur bouts, earned greater accolades, and holds a clear edge in professional ring time.

For comparison, we’ll look at their performances in the first round of the WBC Grand Prix, the most relevant metric in this 6-round format. Molodan: 252 punches thrown

Rybalko: 294 punches thrown.

However, the gap in accuracy is telling. Molodan landed 27% of his shots. Rybalko managed just 13%

This mirrors their styles. Rybalko creates chaos through movement and unpredictability, while Molodan operates with precision and structure.

This will be Molodan’s third fight in 2025, showing consistent form. Rybalko, by contrast, will be making just his second appearance this year, returning after a long layoff since 2023. On one hand, Molodan is fight-sharp and fully active. On the other, Rybalko is now properly back in rhythm—and this time, ring rust won’t be a factor.

It’s difficult to draw conclusions about knockout power, as neither fighter has consistently faced elite punchers. But two things are clear. First – Molodan lands clean due to his southpaw stance and disciplined setup. Second – Rybalko can be dangerous thanks to his erratic and unreadable rhythm—it’s the punches you don’t see that do the most damage.

Same applies here. Molodan’s guard and positioning make him hard to catch clean. Rybalko’s frequent retreats in straight lines could leave him vulnerable—but that’s something the ring will determine.

The second round of the WBC Grand Prix once again takes place in Saudi Arabia. For these two Ukrainians, no fighter will benefit from a hometown crowd or judging bias—it’s strictly neutral territory.

This is a derby in every sense—and that makes it tricky.

Naturally, Ukrainian fans would’ve preferred a later clash between countrymen, but this is the draw fate provided. Molodan is better known among hardcore boxing fans, especially those who follow the amateur scene. Rybalko, meanwhile, has been a revelation—even surprising some of those diehard followers.

For both, the immediate goal is clear: win hearts, build a fanbase, and shine under the spotlight. A strong performance here paves the way to the final stages of the Grand Prix. But first, they’ll need to prove themselves—not just as fighters, but as showmen—for the home audience watching live.