Boxing Legend Wladmir Klitschko is fighting for his homeland, along with his brother Vitali, the mayor of Kyiv, and a one-time prize fighter. The formers personal fortune is left in the hands of Kostya Kovalchuk, who is also Ukranian and tending to his wealth through his family office, KLIWLA.
As Russian forces advance of Kyiv, Kovalchuk is in London, and exactly where Wladmir wants him to be; managing his portfolio of technology, and private equity, as well as, raising money for war relief.
“I keep exchanging messages with Wladimir every day,” said Kovalchuk (37), in a recent Zoom interview from his office in London. “I messaged him the other day and said: ‘How are you? I’m worried about you,’” Kovalchuk said about Wladimir, 45, who joined the reserve army a few weeks ago. “He replied to me saying, ‘Be a warrior — not a worrier.”
Kovalchuk’s goal has remained the same over the last six years, which is to ensure that Wladmir’s fortune continues to thrive for generations. However, his goal has taken on a lot more significance since Russia’s invasion.
Klitschko was who unavailable for an interview, has a daughter with U.S actress Hayden Panettiere (32), who commented that their child is safe and not in Ukraine. KLIWLA doesn’t manage the wealth of Vitali, because of his political career.
Venture Capital
KLIWLA has acquired short-term debts, and stakes in early-stage companies in the last year in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. The family office is also involved in deals outside of Ukraine.
However, 35 percent of its assets are in Ukraine, and with most of it in real estate, its gains are at risk. However Kovalchuk has other things on his mind.
“My family apart from my parents are at the epicenter of the battles,” said Kovalchuk. “Your imagination plays games with you. It feels like you’re on adrenaline the whole time.” He returned from Ukraine before the invasion and has plans to stay in London to gain funds for humanitarian efforts, along with managing the investments of KLIWLA.
While this wasn’t what he imagined when he joined KLIWLA as the managing director in 2016, he is committed to doing what he promised to Kltischko, who is rallying support in Kyiv.
“I have a duty as a fiduciary to manage his family assets,” he said. “We have plenty of resources to take care of his family and the family office workers,” he added.
‘As Ukraine Boxing Great Heads to War, His Family Office Plows On‘- Bloomberg
