Pavel Zhuravlev: a multifaceted fighter

Pavel "Cayman" Zhuravlev is a fighter known to a wide range of kickboxing fans, Muay Thai. He is one of the strongest athletes in the heavyweight category, has repeatedly become the world champion among amateurs and professionals alike. For a long time, the fighter played in fights under the rules of K-1, which are very popular. Now he is fighting in the Glory promotion, where he got close to the current champion Artem Vakhitov.

Characteristics of the athlete

Pavel Zhuralev is a fighter with a wide range of abilities and abilities. As a child, he was engaged in karate, boxing, kickboxing. Going to the adult level, he successfully combined performances in different types of martial arts. Nevertheless, Pavel Zhravlev himself prefers kickboxing, here he feels most comfortable. The Ukrainian fighter performs in heavyweight, acts tough and aggressive. For his sharp, attacking manner in the ring, he received the nickname "Cayman".

Pavel Zhuravlev fought with the strongest kickboxers, on his account a duel with Mirko himself "Crocus" Filipovic. Throwing out high-kickies of incredible power, Paul is able to break the attacking zeal of any athlete and crush him. Dominating in the ring, he acts as a real caiman and crocodile, mercilessly clenching his jaws and not letting his opponent come round.

Not without success, Pavel Zhuravlev tried his hand at the related Muay Thai kickboxing, fighting for the highest titles. However, it required more intensive work with elbows and knees, which is not particularly strong athlete.

Possessing a large muscle mass and strength, he acts in the ring with great speed. This he explains by the fact that he alternates periods of speed and strength training in his training.

The beginning of the way

Pavel Zhuravlev was born in the Ukraine in the city of Saki in 1983. Since childhood, he was a very active boy, engaged in several sports at once. Like all the boys, Pavel paid tribute to football enthusiasm, beat the ball well. However, he beat not only the ball. In parallel, the guy with enthusiasm hammered on the pear and opponents in the sections on karate, kickboxing.

At the junior level, he decided to try his hand at boxing, regularly participating in district competitions. But boxing, limited by strict rules, was not as attractive to Paul as kickboxing, where he had a wide field for the initiative.

Amateur career

After stepping over the age of majority, Pavel Zhuravlev bet on the performances in kickboxing. He achieved great success at the amateur level, immediately breaking into the world elite. Beginning at the age of twenty, the fighter begins methodically to collect champion titles. Already in 2003 he became the world champion in kickboxing according to the WAKO version, and also took bronze at the championship of the world in Thai boxing. Later, he more than once makes successful forays into Muay Thai, already speaking in the professionals.

Especially popular is Muay Thai in Thailand, fights fighters are gathering a huge number of fans. There was even organized a special King's Cup of Thailand, which regularly gathers the strongest athletes. Pavel Zhuravlev also managed to take this prestigious prize to his collection, removing all rivals from his path in 2004.

In 2005, the future "Cayman" last time participated in the amateur championship of the planet, finally won the title of world champion according to the version of IAKSA.

The first years on a professional level

C 2005 Pavel Zhuravlev begins active performances in the professional ring. For 4 years he spent more than 50 fights. At this time he breaks into the number of the best fighters of the CIS and the world, having defeated such authoritative sportsmen as Konstantin Glukhov, Alexey Kudin, Evgenie Angalevich.

The first title was won by the Ukrainian in 2008, becoming the world champion by the version of WBKF, speaking in weight over 93 kg. In 2009, the fighter successfully debuted in the prestigious K-1 Kick-off Series. In the first match, under the auspices of this promotion, Pavel Zhuravlev left no chance for the Turkish kickboxer Gekhan Saki and won by a unanimous decision.

In 2009, a Ukrainian fighter took part in the World Kickboxing Championships in Moscow, which was held according to the W-5 version. This tournament gathered the best fighters of the CIS and was held in a very representative version. In the semifinals, Pavel Zhuravlev came out against Alexei Kudin and in a stubborn opposition he broke his resistance. Having typed excellent in form, the fighter was irresistible and in the finals, defeating Konstantin Glukhov.

The feats in K-1 and Glory

After 2010, the fighter Pavel Zhuravlev concentrates on performances in K-1 tournaments. It was then that he meets Mirko Filippovich and other stars who later switched to MMA. He does not leave his attention and Muay Thai. In 2010, he entered the title fight for the title of world champion in this sport according to the WKN version. The Ukrainian fighter met with Australian Nathan Korbet, the battle took place in Melbourne. Corbet was known for his work elbows in the ring and successfully applied his skills against Paul, having beaten that in a stubborn battle.

In the same year in Russia for the first time the K-1 tournament took place, in which Pavel Zhuravlev managed to win. In the future, the Ukrainian did not slow down and won in a variety of competitions, among which we can mention: Grand Prix SuperKombat, Grand Prix of King of Kings and Grand Prix "Legend".

Recently, the athlete has been acting under the auspices of Glory and is preparing intensively for a fight against Saulo Kavalari for the title of temporary champion of this organization. On the account of Zhuravlev there is already a victory over the future opponent, which took place in 2012 within the framework of K-1.

His main goal for today, Pavel believes the fight against the strongest fighter of light heavyweight Artem Vakhitov.