In the United States, nobody is surprised that in a hospital one doctor treats only the hand, another only the ear, and a third only the heart. Or that a plumber who fixes a sink won’t be the same person to replace a lightbulb. Modern life is built on specialization. Sports are no exception.
“Usyk works with multiple coaches at once. Wealthy athletes may have ten specialists for different tasks: one for conditioning, another for tactics, another for nutrition. But the decisive role belongs to the analyst — the one who can break down a fight like a chess match,” says boxer and coach Iago Kiladze.
From the ring to analytics
Kiladze has traveled a long road: Georgian national champion, appearances in Ukraine and Germany, and dozens of professional bouts in the United States. In 2017–2018 he was ranked in the world’s top 15 heavyweights by both the WBO and the IBF. But the real turning point came when he shifted from competing to passing on his experience.
Instead of becoming a “generalist” coach, Kiladze chose a narrow specialization — analytics and strategy. His mission is to break down opponents, model fights, and teach boxers to think tactically.
The “live coach” method
The cornerstone of his approach is unique: Kiladze steps into the ring with his athletes, simulates an opponent’s style, and corrects mistakes in real time.
⦁ Tactile feedback: fixing distance, balance, and punch mechanics.
⦁ Modeling styles: pressure fighters, counterpunchers, southpaws.
⦁ Scenario sparring: preparing for fatigue, a lost round, or sustained pressure.
This allows a boxer not just to hear an instruction but to feel it physically.
WBA Champion Artem Dalakian recalls working with Kiladze in 2020:
“He noticed my lead hand dropping during exchanges. He corrected it right in sparring — and that helped me retain my title.”
Serhii Bohachuk, holder of the WBC Continental Americas title, highlights his analytical skills:
“Iago broke down fight footage and gave me clear solutions. Thanks to that, I defended my belt with confidence.”
Former WBC World Champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk adds:
“He sees details that others miss. His adjustments helped me refine my strategy during camp.”
And Ukrainian middleweight contender Serhii Derevyanchenko, a three-time world title challenger, emphasizes:
“One of the strongest elements of his approach is being a ‘coach-as-sparring partner.’ Instead of shouting from the corner, Iago steps inside the ropes and simulates real situations, fixing mistakes immediately. This develops instinct and fight IQ at a level you simply can’t replicate from outside the ring.”
Specialists, like in medicine
Modern sports now resemble a multi-tier system. Freddie Roach is known as the “voice in the corner” — the mentor who brings confidence and rhythm. Joe Goossen is revered for his work on technique and style. Justin Fortune specializes in strength and conditioning.
Kiladze has carved out his niche as the analyst. His role is to build the logic of the fight, teaching athletes how to control space and tempo. In a large team, this function is what transforms training into strategy.
The future in the U.S.
Today, Kiladze lives in Los Angeles and has already received offers from Fortune Gym and BLK Prime. His goal is to establish a school where boxing is taught with the same rigor as surgery is taught in medical universities: step by step, with attention to detail and analysis.
“My mission is to make sure a fighter understands when and why he’s making a move. Only then can he beat the best,” Kiladze says.
In an era of specialization, he has become the figure responsible for strategy and fight intelligence. And more and more athletes are choosing him as the lead analyst in their corner.
