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Alexander Volg Zangief (アレクサンドル・ヴォルグ・ザンギエフ, Arekusandoru Vuorugu Zangiefu) is a junior lightweight professional boxer and the IBF junior lightweight champion from Russia.

He trains under Dankichi Hama in the United States of America after being a featherweight boxer affiliated with the Otowa gym. When he was a featherweight boxer, he retired and went back from Japan to Russia with his mother after being let go from the Otowa gym. After his mother passed away, he made a comeback as a junior lightweight.

Background[]

Volg grew up in Russia during the Soviet Union era. During his childhood, Volg lived in a poor area at the edge of Russia and was raised in a single-parent household with his mother whom he adored and cared for very much. Unfortunately, his mother's ill condition and Russia's cold climate kept her bedridden and extremely ill.

Determined, Volg constantly found himself trekking to the nearest hospital. On one such occasion he found a wolf and lamented on his own weakness, expressing his want to become as strong as a wolf to protect his mother.

Volg and Ramuda training

A young Volg training with Ramuda.

Some time later he was found by Ruslan Ramuda, who discovered the hidden boxing talent in Volg and strove to bring it out to its full potential. Eventually, grooming Volg into one of the finest and strongest fighters in boxing history, gaining many victories and no losses whatsoever, making Volg an esteemed amateur champion. Sometime after the fall of the Soviet Union, Volg eventually took up professional boxing and moved from Russia to the Otowa Boxing Gym in Japan with a goal of becoming the world champion in professional boxing.

History[]

Part I[]

Speed Star Arc[]

At the Otowa Boxing Gym, the idol Kumiko Morita interviewed Volg, who revealed that he moved to Japan with the dream of becoming a world champion in professional boxing, using the JBC as his first step, claiming that he will take JBC featherweight champion Eiji Date's belt.

White Fang

Volg using the White Fang, defeating Suzuki.

As a third ranker, Volg signed up for the Class A Tournament, which caused three out of the seven participants to drop out by making excuses. Volg's first opponent was scheduled to be against the fourth ranker, Toshio Suzuki. While walking to the ring for his match, he passed by Ippo Makunouchi, who Volg thought was the loser due to him looking so beaten up and realised that he would be his next opponent after Suzuki. When Volg's match against Suzuki began, Volg appeared to have trouble against Suzuki when he was hit by a body blow. However, Volg began trading blows with Suzuki and quickly overwhelmed him. The referee, noticing that Suzuki was no longer able to defend himself properly, attempted to stop Volg, but the latter shook him off and kept attacking. Suzuki's trainer threw the towel and begged the match to be stopped, but before they could stop Volg, he delivered a powerful combination that knocked Suzuki out, making Volg the winner and progressing him to the tournament's finals against Ippo.

White Fang Arc[]

Ippo and Volg talk about Volg's reason for boxing

Volg talking with Ippo.

At the Otowa gym, Volg and Ramuda talked about Volg's chance of winning against Ippo, with Volg unable to come up with a prediction due to Ippo's power increasing after every match. While watching Ippo's matches, Volg was impressed with Ippo's expression of happiness after every match, looking like he was having fun boxing, while Volg felt completely different. Later, Volg watched Date's title defence match. After watching the match, Volg became troubled as he could not read the Kōrakuen Station's train map to go back home. Volg then met Ippo, who offered to help. Volg then requested to have a conversation before Ippo helps him. The two engaged in conversation about why either started boxing. After exchanging confident remarks on the outcome of their upcoming battle, Ippo and Volg part ways.

Ippo unconsciously stopping Volg's right straight

Ippo stopping Volg's right straight while unconscious.

Later, the finals for the Class A Tournament arrived. When round one began, Volg entered a Crouching Style and charged towards Ippo, who was in his Peek-a-Boo Style. In an in-fight, Volg and Ippo attacked each other with a rush of left jabs, not landing any hits for a long period of time until Volg landed an uppercut. Ippo began to block his face, however Volg landed another uppercut through his guard. Volg then landed a third uppercut, and attempted to throw another follow-up before Ippo dodged it and began to make an attempt to get away from the ropes. Volg stopped his attempt and delivered a series of blows that caused Ippo to become unconscious. Volg threw a right straight at the unconscious Ippo, however, Ippo, still unconscious, stopped the attack with a right and began throwing a combination of lefts and rights on Volg's guard. When Volg backed up to the middle of the ring, Ippo woke up, and they both go into another in-fight until the gong ending the first round sounded. In the corner, Volg believed it is possible to use out-boxing to take points, but it would be impossible to get into a rhythm as Ippo would keep advancing, realising he needs to stay in an in-fight.

Volg hits Ippo with the White Fang in round two

Volg using the White Fang on Ippo.

Round two began, and Volg and Ippo commenced another in-fight. As Volg attacked Ippo, he wished to bring Ippo down early, as he does not want to break him. When Volg missed an attack, he was hit by a Gazelle Punch, getting knocked down. Volg's reflexes made him guard the Gazelle Punch with his left hand, weakening the blow. When Volg got up, he began dodging Ippo's attacks. Volg blocked a Gazelle Punch and began throwing a combination of punches at Ippo. Volg used the White Fang on Ippo, who blocked the first hit from below, then got struck from the second hit from above, getting knocked down. Ippo got up and the second round ended. In the corner, Ramuda told Volg that his down was due to his carelessness, with Volg replying that he was going to finish Ippo off after the White Fang, but even as Ippo fell, he threw a left at him, realising that Ippo will not stop attacking until he loses consciousness. Remembering his mother, Volg chose to defeat Ippo and destroy his consciousness and will to fight.

As round three began, Volg, knowing that Ippo has not fully recovered, advanced towards Ippo. Volg hit Ippo repeatedly with a combination of punches on the ropes until the referee got between them, giving Ippo a standing down. After the referee let the match continue, Volg quickly downed Ippo with an uppercut. Ippo stood up and the match continued. Volg became shocked as Ippo began attacking again, with both fighters trading hits multiple times until the third round ended. At the corner, Volg wondered why Ippo is still standing. He was then instructed to use body blows to stop Ippo's knees that are absorbing the damage.

Ippo landing the Gazelle Punch on Volg in round four

Volg getting hit by a Low Gazelle Punch.

Round four then began with Volg doing as instructed, hitting Ippo with body blows. After delivering a blow to the liver, Volg unleashed attacks on Ippo's guard. After breaking Ippo's guard, Volg and Ippo began exchanging punches. Volg soon felt like his body was getting heavy, missing an attack. Unable to dodge due to low stamina, Volg began to get hit multiple times. Seeing Ippo get ready to throw a Gazelle Punch, Volg threw a big punch that missed as a feint. As Volg stepped back to counter the incoming Gazelle Punch, Ippo widened his stance, and Volg was hit with a Low Gazelle Punch and then hit two times, causing him to go down. Volg got back up, remembering that he took up boxing to become strong like a wolf. Volg guarded against Ippo's attacks at the ropes until Volg clinched. When the clinch broke, the two exchanged hits until the gong sounded ending the fourth round.

Ippo defeating Volg

Volg getting defeated by a Gazelle Punch.

When round five began, Volg and Ippo widen their stance and commenced an in-fight battle. When Volg saw a chance, he went for his White Fang, however, Ippo dodged both hits. Unable to breath anymore, Volg gasped for air, and was hit by a Gazelle Punch, causing him to go down. Volg began to get up, feeling like he had taken a liking to boxing, and took a fighting pose, but he shortly falls, leaning on the referee. With Volg unable to continue, Volg loses the Class A Tournament. Before leaving the ring, Volg told Ippo that he is strong as they both shook hands.

Challenge for the Throne Arc[]

Sendo and Volg meet

Volg and Sendō meet each other.

Volg visited Ippo at the Kawai Hospital, only to bump into the latter's mother. Apologising profusely, Volg was given encouragement and a new goal from Hiroko, who reminded him of his own mother. He then left the hospital with a new goal. Volg later watched Ippo's match against Date for the JBC featherweight title. After Ippo lost, Volg met a frustrated Sendō. The two glared at each other before Volg walked away.

Road Back Arc[]

Sendo and Volg stand-off

Volg and Sendō standing in the ring before their match.

After Date defeated Ippo and relinquished the JBC featherweight belt, Volg and Takeshi Sendō would be fighting for the vacant title in two months. Two months later, Volg and Sendō entered the ring and the match began. In the first round, Volg and Sendō threw punches that barely missed each other until Volg hit Sendō. Volg launched a series of attacks that hit Sendō. When Sendō was pushed to the ropes, he threw a Smash. Sendō then landed more punches along with another Smash. With Sendō surprised that Volg could still stand, Volg hit Sendō with the White Fang. With both boxers still standing after taking each other's unique techniques, the first round ended. In the corner, Volg believed Sendō's punching power may be higher than Ippo's and was worried about falling to them, but was determined to win.

Volg downing Sendo

Volg downs Sendō during round six.

When the second round began, Volg dashed towards Sendō and successfully hit Sendō multiple times, pushing him into a corner. Sendō threw body blows, however it did not stop Volg's attack. Volg continued attacking Sendō in the corner until the end of the second round. Sendō continued to get beaten by Volg and had his face swollen up to round six. During round six, Volg downed Sendō with a right. As Volg walked to a neutral corner, he dragged his left foot, not knowing that Sendō witnessed it. When Sendō got up, Volg intended to finish the fight with a White Fang, however Sendō leaned on the ropes and dodged it. The sixth round then ended. In the corner, Ramuda praised Volg's ability to stay calm while the body blows were affecting him and the crowd's cheering being against him. As Volg left the corner, Ramuda warned him that boxers that ride on the cheering can help them during a pinch situation.

Sendo vs Volg end

Sendō and Volg's match ending in a decision win for Sendō.

As round seven began, Sendō landed body blows until Volg launched a left hook that hit Sendō's face. Volg launched a barrage of punches on Sendō's guard until Volg got closer and was hit in the body. After an in-fight, Sendō threw a Smash, which Volg blocked, however due to his hurt foot, he lost his balance. Sendō switched to the southpaw stance and unleashed a Smash with his right hand, knocking Volg down. After realising that he may get sent back to Russia if he loses twice in a row due to being an import boxer, Volg got back up, wanting to fight Ippo again as he made him love boxing. As the match continued, Volg used a clinch to stop Sendō's incoming barrage until the seventh round ended. In rounds eight and nine the two boxers had an intense hitting match. In the final tenth round, the boxers respectfully touch gloves as the round began. With Volg in the lead in points, Volg continued having a hitting match. Volg soon lost his footing as he punched and fell with his knee on the canvas as Sendō missed his punch as well. The referee declared it as a down, with Volg and Ramuda trying to explain that Sendō's punch did not hit him as he clearly slipped. The referee did not listen however, and Volg got up to continue the match. Volg desperately attacked Sendō to get back the two points that were taken away from the false down until the tenth round ended, taking the match into a decision. The victor and the holder of the JBC featherweight belt went to Sendō, while Volg lost. Volg stopped Ramuda's attempt to challenge the referee's decision, believing Volg should have had a three point lead, disheartened with the fact that he made his boxer lose just because he is not in his home country. As Volg began to leave the ring, Sendō stopped him and claimed his rematch request would have the highest priority, as he did not feel like the winner looking at his condition. However, Volg turned around without saying anything, knowing that he would be sent back to Russia.

Volg gives Ippo his boxing gloves

Volg giving Ippo his boxing gloves.

Soon after the match, the Otowa gym cut the contract of Volg's management, forcing Volg to move back to Russia. When Volg arrived to the Narita Terminal 1 for his flight, he was met by Ippo. Volg stated his beliefs that it is a world of results and his boxing did not work in the pro ring. Volg expressed his regrets as he brought his dreams to Japan, but could not do anything. He then thanked Ippo for teaching him the severity and fun in pro-boxing and will brag to his followers that he fought with a strong boxer named Ippo in Japan. Volg wished for Ippo to become champion, not just in Japan, but on a greater scale. Before Volg left, he gave Ippo his boxing gloves and spoke his last Japanese word to him: "Sayonara," He then returned to Russia to spend time with his mother and did not make enough money to pay for her healthcare.

Part II[]

Dragon Slayer Arc[]

Ippo and Volg meet again

Volg meets Ippo again.

Sometime later, Volg's mother finally succumbed to her illness and passed away. Volg decided to travel to the United States of America and continue his boxing career. On his way to America, he made a brief return to Japan in order to receive his boxing gloves he gave Ippo. He was invited in Ippo's residence and worked for the Makunouchi Fishing Boat to pay for expenses. Hiroko again reminded him of his own late mother.

Volg Defeating Dempsey Roll

Volg counters Ippo's Dempsey Roll.

During his stay, he trained at the Kamogawa gym to polish his long unused boxing skills. Concerned with using his Dempsey Roll in his upcoming match against Ryūhei Sawamura, Ippo wished to spar against Volg, but Volg declined, stating that he has long lost his conditioning from lack of training. Tatsuya Kimura, Masaru Aoki, and Manabu Itagaki, realising that Volg was the only one who has the skill and courage to face Ippo's Dempsey Roll in the ring, pleaded for him to prepare Ippo by using the countermeasure developed by Itagaki. He trained for the spar as if it were a real rematch. When the spar began, it was a an intense one where Volg and Ippo unleashed their signature punches and go all-out. Volg then faced Ippo's Dempsey Roll for the first time and realised its power. However, he followed Itagaki's instructions, stepping back to exposing the technique's weakness: increasing the field of vision to remove blind spots and see Ippo's hooks. He then accomplished what Kimura and Itagaki could not: facing the attack head-on, he landed a counter and instantly knocked Ippo out even though Volg held back.

Volg immediately left for his flight after the spar, with Genji Kamogawa arranging a contact with his former rival, Dankichi Hama, to train Volg in America. With Ippo still recovering at the gym, Volg said goodbye to Hiroko and emotionally asked her wish him luck in Russian as her son, with his reply to her as his mother as Volg left to the airport with Masahiko Umezawa.

When he arrived to America, Volg began training under Dankichi and aimed for a world title as a junior lightweight.

Phantom Card Arc[]

As a sixth ranker in the IBF, Volg faced against the fourth ranker in the IBF, Eric Thompson in Las Vegas. At the end, the match finished in Volg's victory by knockout in the middle rounds.

In the Jungle Arc[]

Volg vs Wally - 03

Volg sparring against Wally.

At a gym in New York, Volg had a sparring match against the Indonesian featherweight champion Wally, before Wally's fight against Ippo. Volg dominated in the sparring match, trapping Wally in the corner, but then Wally used his reflexes and momentum on the ropes to escape from the corner and Volg was hit by a counter. Volg ended the match prematurely to avoid serious injuries before a big match. He later called and warned Ippo of Wally's boxing talent.

Later on, Volg fought in matches that made him become ranked first in the WBA, WBC, and IBF junior lightweight divisions

Proud Wolf Arc[]

He was given a chance to challenge the reigning junior lightweight IBF champion, Mike Elliott, as a replacement for someone else. Volg accepted the invitation despite the fact that he didn't have proper time to build a fighting condition as the match was in one week. His reasons were because he considered this to be his only chance to ever reach the top of the world, and he wanted fight under the harshest conditions so that he could "shed this human facade [and] move on pure instinct. When his IBF junior lightweight title match arrived, Volg went to the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to fight Elliott. Before the match began, Volg was advised by Dankichi to keep his wild side from coming out until he gets used to the match since he barely had time to get ready by using his left and find his range.

Elliot countering Volg's White Fang

Volg's White Fang getting countered by Elliott.

When the match began, Volg charged out toward Elliott and use the White Fang immediately, however, Elliott successfully countered it by blocking the first hit and countering the second, causing Volg to go down. When Volg got up, both boxers had a middle range exchange of lefts, with both of them missing. The exchange ended when Volg was sent backwards with his back to the ropes when he blocked Elliott's one-two. Volg was approached at the ropes with his escape routes blocked. Volg decided to press in, causing the two to enter an in-fight exchange. After the two boxers hit each other in a dual exchange, Volg was hurt the most, giving Elliott the advantage, resulting in Volg getting hit multiple times. In between Elliott's combinations, Volg saw a chance to use his White Fang, however, it was countered again, and Volg was hit multiple times after. As the referee was about to stop the match since Volg wasn't able to do anything against the barrage of punches, Volg surprised the referee and Elliott when he threw a left that tapped Elliot's head as the first round ended. At his corner, Volg told Dankichi that while Elliott's punches are strong, he already faced the "sharpest spear" and the "most durable shield". He received a leg massage from Dankichi, who instructed him to find a way to avoid Elliot and attack at a distance until he has time to recuperate and get his sense for the ring back, adding that he is not alone.

Volg and Elliot third round exchange

Volg and Elliott in an exchange match.

In the second round, after failing to keep Elliott away at a distance with left jabs, Volg successfully hit Elliott with the multiple Hiens when he got close. Elliott was unable to get close to Volg for the rest of the second round. At his corner, Volg confirmed that he has his feel for the ring back. In the third round, after avoiding a direct hit from a reverse one-two, Volg tried to use the Hien, however, Elliott blocked it. Both boxers tried to hit each other for the rest of the third round, however, they could not, as they blocked and dodged every punch. At the corner, Volg told Dankichi that he sees himself losing. Volg was instructed by Dankichi to keep using the Hien even though Elliott figured out the motion, predicting that there is hope lying beyond Volg enduring his mind and body getting chipped away by Elliott. For the entire fourth round, Volg went into close range against Elliott and attempted to hit him with a left body blow while Elliott countered with a right to Volg's face, however, both boxers could only hit each others block, with Volg getting damaged through the block. By the end of the fourth round, Volg's face began to turn purple due to cyanosis. At his corner, Volg told Dankichi a phrase he learned and feels that best describes his favourite boxer, "Yamato-damashii".

Volg and Elliot's last hit

Volg and Elliott's finishing dual exchange.

In the fifth round, Volg got into close range and, after blocking Elliott's left, Volg aimed higher by using the Hien. After Elliott blocked the Hien, Volg threw the last hit of the White Fang, however, Elliott dodged it. With Volg open for punches, he was hit by a liver blow, causing him to kneel over. While in the lowered position, Volg still threw punches at Elliot's block that is blocking his body while getting hit by multiple body blows. As Volg began to throw a punch at a higher trajectory, Elliot guarded his face. Volg threw a Tsubame Gaeshi that gets stopped by Elliott, however, Volg threw the second hit of his White Fang, which successfully landed on Elliott, causing him to go down. While waiting for the referee to count, Volg was shocked to see the referee help the unconscious Elliott up and having the match continue.

Volg decided to let his wolf instincts take over and began only throwing White Fangs. They get blocked and countered at first, however, more began to land and he switched up with the Tsubame Gaeshi until they both hit each other in a dual exchange. Both boxers fell over, with Volg onto the ropes, and Elliott onto the canvas. Elliott's corner entered the ring, resulting in the match ending in Volg's victory and becoming the IBF junior lightweight champion.

In the ring, Volg thanked Dankichi and his two other seconds before wearing his new IBF junior lightweight belt. For his victory interview, Volg first thanked America for giving him a chance, his friends in Japan, and his late mother from Russia.

Part III[]

Grim Reaper to the World Arc[]

Wally meeting Volg at the Marvelous gym

Volg meeting Wally at the Marvelous gym.

Since Wally is going to be fighting WBA featherweight world champion Ricardo Martínez, Volg was requested by Wally's side to spar with him. At the Marvelous Gym, Volg greeted Wally and Miguel as they arrived. He informed Wally that he will be defending his IBF title for the second time as the semi to his main event against Ricardo, and that they will be sharing a training camp. As Wally was welcomed to "Team White Fang", Volg gave him the team's shirt with a logo of a wolf on it for him to wear while training.

Alpha and Omega Arc[]

Wally and Volg talking about Wally wanting to repay Miguel

Volg and Wally talking about the latter wanting to repay Miguel.

During a spar at the Marvelous Gym, Volg and Wally had to be stopped by their trainers as they were having an argument about how Wally is irritated that Volg keeps telling him he can't do what he requests. Volg asked Wally's trainer, Miguel Zale what he teaches Wally, noting his various unique fouls. Frustrated that Volg called his attacks fouls, Wally ran out of the gym as Volg followed him. Volg was shocked to discover that Wally wants to be a zoologist. After Wally claimed that Miguel taught him many things outside of boxing, wanting to repay him by becoming the world champion, Volg thought that he has no chance of winning against Ricardo, however, the chances of him shaking off the darkness aren't zero.

Volg greets Ippo at the Lucha Lucha Gym

Volg meets Ippo at the Lucha Lucha gym.

When Volg's title defence match drew near, Volg went with Dankichi to Marascas and Milo Scamaras' Lucha Lucha Gym in Mexico, where he stayed with Wally and Miguel to train. Volg and Wally had sparring partners, however, they defeated them to the point of being too injured to spar anymore. When Ippo and Sendō arrived to the gym Volg greeted them. Volg watched as Sendō and Wally began sparring. Preparing to spar with Ippo, Volg handed him headgear and requested for him to take his weight straps off, which he did.

Ippo using the Dempsey Roll against Volg in their spar in Mexico

Volg facing Ippo's Dempsey Roll.

Volg got in the ring with Ippo, noticing by the look of his muscles that Ippo hasn't slacked on his training despite retiring, having to think that he is no different from before. When the spar began, Ippo rushed towards Volg, following him while punching his guard repeatedly. Volg was unable to escape as Ippo keeps closing in on him, punching his guard while dodging his punches. As Volg stepped back and Ippo continued charging at him again, Volg launches the White Fang, which Ippo caught both hits of the technique. Ippo and Volg threw left and right jabs while moving along the side of the ring at close range. Ippo ducked to the left under a strong right straight and lands a liver blow. Volg threw a left uppercut that grazes Ippo's face and then stepped back to throw a Hien that Ippo catches. Ippo blocked a barrage of punches coming at his face before realising that Volg will strike from below where he isn't guarding. As Ippo moved his guard to protect his body, he is hit by a left uppercut that went between his arms, and then a right hook, directly getting hit by the White Fang. While Ippo is stunned from the attack, Volg moved away with footwork and lands a Hien. Ippo followed Volg and, after getting hit again by a left jab, he ducked under another one while pressing his right fist on the middle of Volg's outstretched arm, and then slides his right fist to Volg's face, doing the Parry Counter. Volg retaliated with a left uppercut that lands. Ippo crouched down and threw a Gazelle Punch that Volg blocks, however, it pushed him to a corner. Ippo motioned the Dempsey Roll, and was about to throw a punch from below with it, however, Sendō got in the ring and stopped him, scolding both of the boxers as it was suppose to only be a "touch spar".

Sendō and Volg arguing about Ippo

Volg arguing with Sendō about Ippo.

Sitting inside the ring, Volg was scolded by Sendō for hitting the retired Ippo at full strength. Volg claimed that he snapped after Ippo caught his best punch. Sendō believed that he caught it because Volg's weight control and exhaustion is at its peak right before a match, but Volg noted that he was beaten by Ippo who is on a long hiatus, and explained about how he was at a disadvantage. Volg and Sendō were confused about the Dempsey Roll going vertical before the spar stopped, theorising that it was the new form. Volg got irritated, wondering why Ippo is upgrading himself and wanting more strength if he isn't coming back, arguing with Sendō about him not knowing why Ippo retired and won't come back. The two stopped arguing when Dankichi told them that there is nothing they can do about it. When Dankichi expressed what he think is clinging to Ippo, and suggested for the two boxers to worry about themselves, reminding Volg that he has a title defence match soon, Sendō and Volg were puzzled by Dankichi's way of words. Later, at the Arena México, Volg, after partaking in his own press conference, watched the press conference for Ricardo and Wally's match. When Volg thought that Wally was being rude to the world champion, Wally was prevented from further discussion as Volg stepped in and carried Wally out of the room.

Volg winning his second IBF title defence

Volg defeating his second IBF title defence opponent.

The next day, Volg went to the Arena México and entered the ring as his second IBF junior lightweight title defence match was about to begin. When the match began, Volg was still feeling the pain in his ribs from when Ippo hit him with a body blow during their spar, causing sharp pain when he throws a right and feels that there is no guarantee he can take a hit there again. As his opponent charged towards him, Volg baited with a left jab, and threw a White Fang after his opponent ducked down.

However, he was unable to throw the right overhand due to the pain in his ribs, letting his opponent retaliate with punches that get dodged. When Volg blocked a liver blow, he felt extreme pain, cursing Ippo. Volg, unable to throw his right, connected with multiple lefts when given the opportunity. When his opponent ducked under a left jab and was about to hit Volg with a liver blow, Volg landed a left uppercut, sending his opponent down. The referee decided to end the match without a count, resulting in Volg's one round knockout victory.

After receiving praise from Dankichi, Volg went to the audience seats and sat next to Sendō and Yanaoka. Volg asked Sendō who he wants to fight, since the match will decide who he will fight next. Sendō answered with Ricardo. Sendō asked Volg about the three sparring partners that were world rankers, which Volg explained how they couldn't see his punches coming and were unable to continue when Wally made cuts above their eyes. Volg added that it wasn't the first time he has seen it. Volg watched as the match between Ricardo and Wally began. Volg watched as Ricardo won by knockout in the sixth round.

Match History[]

Match History
# Result Record Date Opponent Location Time Type Notes
? WIN N/A 200X Mexico Unknown Mexico City, Mexico 1(12) TKO 2nd IBF Junior Lightweight Title Defence
? WIN N/A N/A Unknown Unknown ?(12) N/A 1st IBF Junior Lightweight Title Defence
Unknown Opponents
? WIN N/A 1996-02 USA Mike Elliott Las Vegas, USA 5(12), 1:33 TKO IBF Junior Lightweight Title Match
? WIN N/A 1995 USA Unknown Las Vegas, USA ?(12) KO Rose to 1st rank in the IBF
? WIN N/A 1994-10 USA Eric Thompson Las Vegas, USA ?(10) TKO Rose to 4th rank in the IBF
Unknown Opponents
5 LOSS 3-2-0 1992-04 Japan Takeshi Sendō Osaka, Japan 10(10), 3:00 Decision JBC Featherweight Title Match
4 LOSS 3-1-0 1991-10 Japan Ippo Makunouchi Tokyo, Japan 5(8), 1:21 KO Class-A Tournament (Finals)
3 WIN 3-0-0 1991-07 Japan Toshio Suzuki Tokyo, Japan 1(6), 2:32 TKO Class-A Tournament (Semi Finals)
2 WIN 2-0-0 199X Unknown Unknown ?(?) KO/TKO
1 WIN 1-0-0 199X Unknown Unknown ?(4) KO/TKO Pro Debut Match

Amateur Matches[]

223-223-0-0 (223 KO)

  • VS Unknown 4R Win by TKO (Amateur World Champion)}}

Spars[]

  • VS. Ippo Makunouchi 3R Win by TKO (Sparring)
  • VS. Wally 1R Stopped (Sparring)
  • VS. Ippo Makunouchi 1R Stopped (Sparring)

Successions[]

Preceded by Title Succeeded by
Mike Elliott IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship
February, 1997 - Current
Incumbent
Unknown Amateur World Championship Unknown

Appearance[]

Volg has a muscular build with unkempt burgundy red hair grown to a medium length, keeping it just long enough to touch the base of his neck with one or two thick tufts resting on his forehead. He has eyebrows of moderate thickness and his pupils are brown (blue in the anime).

Personality[]

Volg is first seen in the ring and in an interview, showcasing his confidence by directly challenging Eiji Date for his Japanese belt. However, outside of the media Volg is shown to be kind and caring, genuinely worrying about his cold and sick mother back home in Russia. His knowledge of the Japanese language is weak, and Volg is often comically shown to speak expressively with his hands to convey meaning. He is also unable to read kanji. Despite his demeanour outside of the media, it is also mentioned that Volg turns into a completely different person in the ring. He becomes brutal, possessing strength comparable to a wolf's and is shown to never relent until the referee halts him. When he does register a match's end however, Ippo makes a note that Volg shows no signs of happiness or relief, but sadness, hinting that Volg regrets hurting people in the ring, and that his wolf-like hunger is only controllable to minimal extent.

It is later revealed in a conversation between Volg and Ippo that he (Volg) hates boxing because he hates hurting people to get what he wants. However, amidst his fight against Ippo, Volg finally realises that he does love boxing, and wonders what his mother would think of him now that he has lost to Ippo. Upon receiving encouragement from Ippo's mother, Volg leaves Ippo's hospital bed with the new goal of "trying his best, at everything from now on".

Volg is an amazing technician with great talent. He has perfected most of the basic boxing punches and his trademark finishing move is the White Fang, a lightning fast combination of a quick, hard uppercut followed by a chopping right. Volg hesitates to use this punch because it attacks the brain from both above and below, and can easily end a boxer's career. Volg is currently the 1st seed for the WBA Junior Lightweight division and, as a former amateur world champion, Volg had an amazing record of: 223 wins, 223 KO victories and 0 losses with all his KO victories achieved before the third round.

Boxing Abilities[]

Considered a boxing genius, Volg is one of the most conditioned and well-rounded fighters seen in the series. His boxing talent, sense, strength, speed, and reflexes are all honed to a razor sharp point. Kamogawa mentioned that his coaching rival Dankichi would get his most boring project as there was little needed to teach Volg. His skill is particularly high in out-boxing, although he can in-fight as well.[2] It is mentioned by Kamogawa that, had he fought in his natural out-boxing stance, Volg would've easily defeated Ippo, Sendō, and even Date. In fact, Volg knocked out Ippo (who was then the Japanese champion and a world ranker) in a sparring match during his hiatus from pro boxing. The enourmously talented Wally has also acknowledged Volg's strength and, though their spars are never shown on-screen, it is implied that Volg is able to keep up with him, whereas other boxers were utterly crushed by Wally.

Fighting as a hybrid boxer, Volg's signature move is White Fang, a quick powerful uppercut followed by an overhand that causes enough brain damage to end a boxer's career. Through being coached by Dankichi, he has also added the Hien and Tsubame Gaeshi to his arsenal, adding a level of unpredictability to his boxing. Volg also possesses a keen tactical mind that allows him to calmly analyze his opponents and set up strategies to counter them. Additionally, though not as notable a trait as it is for Sendō, he is also said to possess an animal instinct.

Techniques[]

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Weaknesses[]

Unlike his generational compatriots, Volg's well-rounded style has no definitive weaknesses. Initially however, because of Volg's extreme talent, he had never gone more than two rounds until his match with Ippo, and as a result lacked significantly in stamina. He seems to have repaired this weakness, however, since he was able to take Sendō to decision. In his fight with Mike Elliott, Ippo commented that Volg is not particularly durable, but despite that, he was able to hang on after taking many blows. Having learned from his losses, Volg has trained both his body and adopted the mental fortitude of his Japanese rivals, becoming a far more tenacious fighter than ever before, as proven by his fighting through the effects of cyanosis without ever catching his breath.

Volg is also an unlucky fighter, frequently dealing with situations outside of his control such as having a slip count as a down against Sendō, causing him to lose by decision. In his fight with Elliott, he was a replacement contender, meaning he did not have enough time to fully train. Before his second title defence, Ippo damaged Volg's ribs in what was supposed to be a touch spar.

Trivia[]

  • Volg (Волг written in Russian) sounds a lot like (Волк), which means "wolf".
  • Volg is based off real life boxer Yuri Arbachakov and Drago from the movie Rocky IV.[3]
  • Volg is a subject of great controversy. It is said that Volg boxed as an in-fighter boxer in Japan to gain a following and please the crowds. But according to Kamogawa, Volg would've probably won on his matches against Ippo, Sendō, and even former champion Date had he used out-boxing, which is supposedly his natural style.
  • Volg can speak Japanese, Russian, and English, making him the second-most multilingual character behind journalist Mari Īmura, who can speak Japanese, English, Spanish, and Indonesian.
  • When crowned champion in Round 1007, Volg is shown wearing the WBA belt, but in Round 1008 this is corrected and he's shown wearing the IBF belt. (Note - This only happened in the releases for Weekly Shōnen Magazine, it was later fixed in the volume when published).

References[]

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