Alex Ovechkin is preparing for his 21st NHL season with personal trainer Pavel Burlachenko after returning from a month-long vacation in Turkey. During a gym session, he conversed with Kamil Gadzhiev about fighting in hockey and the potential benefits of martial arts training. Ovechkin suggested boxing could be useful for players due to its cardio. He revealed his own fighting experience comes from the streets and mentioned his notable fights in the league, as well as naming Donald Brashear and Georges Laraque as his top opponents during games.
Ovechkin stated, 'It depends on the person, whether he likes it or not... For example, wrestling - I don't know if hockey players need it. Boxing, probably yes.'
Ovechkin acquired his fighting skills from 'Street' experiences, highlighting his best moment in the 2019 postseason fight against Andrei Svechnikov.
He identified Donald Brashear and Georges Laraque as the best fighters he has shared the ice with, with Brashear serving as an enforcer on the Capitals.
Ovechkin's relationship with Brashear included urging him not to look after him as a young player, emphasizing his desire for independence on the ice.
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