Fight results

Visually, this matchup should thrill the fans. First, Derek Pomerleau is a savvy southpaw who is always hunting for the heavy shot. Second, Dmytro Rybalko applies relentless pressure and attacks from unexpected angles—you never know what’s coming or from where.

Few believed Rybalko could make it this far. Even in Ukraine his chances were taken lightly. Yet he’s proved that unorthodox technique, a granite chin, and the ability to keep the heat on round after round are strengths, not openings. He’s awkward to face and almost impossible to out-work.

Pomerleau is the opposite type: he throws sparingly but with bad intentions. He can press, yet if the opponent goes on the offensive he boxes calmly off the back foot. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, he’s supple and technically sound.

At 27, Rybalko is relatively mature for a prospects’ tournament—two years older than his coming foe. He owns elite amateur credentials from Ukraine—one of the world’s best schools—but in the pros he has logged fewer bouts than the younger Canadian.

Pomerleau has banked more professional fights and has faced seasoned opposition, including Argentina’s Marcelo Cáceres.

The contrast is stark. Over the Grand Prix, Rybalko averaged nearly twice as many punches as his future rival—308 to 187. Break it down:

Jabs: Rybalko actually trails slightly—102 per fight versus 103.

Power shots: A huge gap—206 for Rybalko, only 85 for Pomerleau.

Accuracy tells another story. Overall, the Ukrainian lands at 21 % to Pomerleau’s 22 %. He is sharper with the jab (23 % to 17 %) but less precise with power punches (21 % to 29 %).

A fight every two months is ideal for young fighters, especially when the Grand Prix offers such solid opposition.

Pomerleau has looked composed on this run—winning a wide decision in his opener (only one judge gave away a round) and scoring a knockout in bout two. Yet he was on the brink against Paul Ryan, trailing on every card until the stoppage.

Rybalko went the distance twice; the first bout was officially a draw, but tie-break rules sent him through. He excelled despite not knowing his first opponent’s name until fight-day, and despite a last-minute switch at the weigh-in for bout two—where he upset category favorite Mohammad Issa.

Pomerleau can crack—over 75 % of his wins are inside the distance, including a sub-11-second KO before the Grand Prix. In the WBC tournament he scored a knockout while trailing.

Rybalko has yet to score a Grand Prix stoppage; his last pro KO came in 2022.

Rybalko’s low-handed, forward-marching style means he ships leather, but his chin holds up—he’s never looked badly hurt.

Pomerleau’s durability hasn’t been questioned either.

Both men are now comfortable in Saudi Arabia. Rybalko has already boxed in Croatia, Germany, and the Gulf; Pomerleau handled desert climate and judging just fine in earlier rounds.

Neither plans to surrender his tournament spot. Stylistically, it’s a gem: Pomerleau is the cautious countering lefty with pop; Rybalko is the all-pressure whirlwind with endless gas. Closing him down and timing him is tough; matching his volume is tougher, and Pomerleau typically fights at a slower clip.

Either man can win—key moments and task execution will decide it, as will how relevant those tasks prove against this particular opponent.