Viktor Mednov


Viktor Ivanovich Mednov was a Russian boxer from the Soviet Union who won a silver medal in the light welterweight division at the 1952 Olympics. He had a difficult second bout with Francisc Ambrus of Romania, with Mednov prevailing when the referee stopped the bout due to bad cuts sustained by both opponents. Mednov had a break in the semifinal, as Erkki Mallenius withdrew with a hand injury. In the final he was defeated by Chuck Adkins in a 2–1 decision. This was the first boxing match between boxers from the United States and the Soviet Union.
Mednov was known for his strength and power – he could hold the Azaryan Cross on gymnastic rings and punched the bags in training so viciously that his hands were bleeding despite ample protection. In retirement he worked as a boxing coach for his sports society Trudovye Rezervy and painted landscapes as a hobby.

1952 Olympic results

Below are Viktor Mednov's results from the 1952 Olympic boxing tournament in Helsinki, Finland where Mednov competed for the Soviet Union as a light welterweight:
Charles Adkins bout vs. Viktor Mednov was the first ever sanctioned world class boxing match between U.S. and Soviet boxers.