By Boxing Bob Newman

The closing banquet of the WBC’s 56th annual convention was held tonight at Mayor Vitali Klitschko’s office- Kyiv City Hall. The banquet was served cocktail party-style stand-up tables and buffet lines with a variety of local eats from which to choose. There was even a version of, yes, Chicken Kiev! Mayor Klitschko showed up, as did Oscar de la Hoya. Both greeted the attendees- Klitschko reiterating how dreams can come true and so far, with this convention in his hometown, they have…and Oscar talking of bringing big-time boxing to Kyiv and Ukraine.

De La Hoya did manage to eat some but he was swarmed by selfie seekers and autograph hounds to the point where security had to intervene, if only for a few mouthfuls before he willingly signed and posed for more. Tomorrow morning brings a city tour and visits to the Klitschko Brothers Museum and the Ukrainian Boxing Hall of Fame.