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Arthur Shurypa and Nazar Grabar | Source: AMO Pictures
Arthur Shurypa and Nazar Grabar | Source: AMO Pictures

Inside the Ring: Exclusive Behind the Scenes of "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" and the Fight Scenes That Felt Too Real

Maria Claudine Varela
Apr 18, 2026
03:00 A.M.

What viewers see in "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" is fast, intense, and emotional, but behind each one-minute episode is a production that pushed its cast and crew to their limits.

In an exclusive behind-the-scenes look shared by AMO Pictures, the team reveals how long fight sequences, detailed choreography, and close collaboration shaped the ReelShort boxing romance from script to screen.

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What Is "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" About?

"The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" blends romance with underground boxing. The story follows Mia, a young medic who finds herself drawn into the dangerous world of fighter Troy, a bartender hiding a second life in the ring.

The series stars Nazar Grabar as Troy and Mary Vysnevska as Mia, with Arthur Shurypa playing Troy’s rival Logan and Olena Oleinikova as Amanda, whose presence complicates the central relationship.

The poster for "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" | Source: AMO Pictures

The poster for "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" | Source: AMO Pictures

Building a World Inside the Ring

From the earliest stages of production, the team focused on making the boxing scenes feel as real and immersive as possible.

According to AMO Pictures, rehearsals were organized during pre-production specifically for the most demanding sequences—the fights.

Fight choreographer Kyrylo Sazhin played a key role not only in staging the action but also in shaping how those scenes would translate on screen.

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Some of the fights included as many as 57 to 59 individual shots, reflecting the complexity of the choreography and filming process.

Capturing the Action on Set

Behind the camera, Director of Photography Serhii Koshel worked closely with the actors to translate each movement into visually compelling sequences.

The confined space of the ring required precise coordination, with every punch, fall, and reaction carefully framed.

Director of Photography Serhii Koshel films Arthur Shurypa during a boxing scene,. | Source: AMO Pictures

Director of Photography Serhii Koshel films Arthur Shurypa during a boxing scene,. | Source: AMO Pictures

The camera team works closely with Nazar Grabar and Arthur Shurypa to capture the fast-paced choreography of the fight scenes. | Source: AMO Pictures

The camera team works closely with Nazar Grabar and Arthur Shurypa to capture the fast-paced choreography of the fight scenes. | Source: AMO Pictures

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Training, Rehearsals, and Real Impact

Before filming, actors Grabar and Shurypa underwent extensive preparation to ensure their performances felt authentic.

Fight consultants worked with them step by step, building sequences that could be repeated safely while still appearing realistic. Sometimes, the realism went further than expected, as line producer Serhii Kuprin recalled:

“Grabar and Shurypa fought and fell so realistically that at times I thought we might need to call an ambulance.”

A fight scene consultant guides Nazar Grabar and Arthur Shurypa through choreography before filming. | Source: AMO Pictures

A fight scene consultant guides Nazar Grabar and Arthur Shurypa through choreography before filming. | Source: AMO Pictures

Director Yeva Strielnikova joins Nazar Grabar and the fight consultant to refine a key moment before filming. |  Source: AMO Pictures

Director Yeva Strielnikova joins Nazar Grabar and the fight consultant to refine a key moment before filming. | Source: AMO Pictures

Long Days Inside the Ring

Filming the fight scenes required both endurance and focus, with some of the most physically demanding moments scheduled back-to-back.

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Two fight scenes were filmed on the same day, with shooting lasting about 12 hours.

Grabar, who has real-life experience in boxing and martial arts, described the toll of those long shooting days:

“That was a very difficult day for me. A lot of physics, a lot of workout… it was just a hard day.”

Despite the intensity, he emphasized the strong collaboration on set:

“This is my favorite crew… everybody’s helping each other. We all try to do our best to create something very great.”

The Details Behind the Scenes

Beyond the action, a dedicated team worked behind the scenes to maintain continuity and realism.

From makeup to wardrobe and lighting, every detail had to hold up under repeated takes and intense physical movement.

Makeup artist Anna Hrabko prepares Nazar Grabar between takes, ensuring continuity during physically demanding scenes. | Source: AMO Pictures

Makeup artist Anna Hrabko prepares Nazar Grabar between takes, ensuring continuity during physically demanding scenes. | Source: AMO Pictures

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Arthur Shurypa undergoes final makeup adjustments before filming a fight sequence. | Source: AMO Pictures

Arthur Shurypa undergoes final makeup adjustments before filming a fight sequence. | Source: AMO Pictures

Preparation Beyond the Set

Preparation for 'The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" extended beyond the boxing ring.

Behind-the-scenes footage shows "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" cast member Vysnevska rehearsing lines and practicing her English while on the move, offering a glimpse into the quieter moments of preparation that supported her performance.

Bringing Mia’s Story to Life

While much of the production focused on the physical intensity of the fight scenes, the emotional core of the story remained just as important.

Vysnevska described Mia as a character who evolves throughout the series.

“In the beginning she's afraid of emotions… but by the end of the story... we see how she modified, how she become[s] ready for real emotions, for real passion.”

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She also sees a personal connection to the role:

“She’s a fighter and I think I’m also a fighter. If there's a goal that I have, I will go until the end basically, and I will fight for it. If it's something that I want to do, I will do it regardless of all the complications or challenges.”

That balance between physical strength and emotional growth shapes the story, giving the drama depth beyond the action in the ring.

A Team Effort From Start to Finish

The project was one that the team remained deeply invested in from beginning to end. As AMO Pictures shared:

“This project truly captured the team’s heart—from the scriptwriting stage all the way to the final edited frame.”

That sense of collaboration extended across departments, from choreography and camera work to editing in post-production.

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Actor Irakli Maruashvili appears as the announcer, setting the stage for the high-stakes fights. | Source: AMO Pictures

Actor Irakli Maruashvili appears as the announcer, setting the stage for the high-stakes fights. | Source: AMO Pictures

While boxing is central to "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse," it also serves as the backdrop for a deeper story about connection, vulnerability, and change. The intensity inside the ring mirrors the emotional stakes between the characters, giving each scene added meaning.

With carefully choreographed fight sequences, long filming days, and a team committed to realism, "The Fighter Who Stole My Pulse" goes beyond its one-minute format to deliver a visually detailed and physically demanding production.

The exclusive behind-the-scenes materials from AMO Pictures reveal the work behind every moment, proving that even the shortest episodes can carry the weight and scale of a much larger production.

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