Boxing Press Conference: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ruslan Chagaev
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Yesterday, at Real Hypermarkert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Media gathered for the official press conference between Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev ahead of their clash at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday for the IBF, IBO, and WBO Heavyweight titles.
The press area was a cordoned off section of the Real retail store and – being open on one side – the conference was watched by Klitschko fans waiting to catch a glimpse of their idol. They weren’t disappointed!
Klitschko – aka ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ – entered the area to a mass of photographers as he settled into his seat on the raised platform. Wearing a bright red tracksuit (as did his entourage), Klitschko looked ‘radiant’ (an odd word for a male – I know!) and proudly sat with his three belts on display in front of him.
The challenger, Chagaev, entered wearing a dark suit. He seemed a quiet, shy man but he too sat with his WBA belt in front.
The top table consisted of Wladimir Klitschko, his trainer Emmanuel Stewart, his manager Bernd Bonte, his promoter Tom Loeffler and team member Matthias Bolhofer on one side and Ruslan Chagaev, his trainer Michael Timm, his promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl and team member Dr. Michael Ekhart on the other.
WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko sat in the audience keeping a watchful eye over his brother.
Also present, Irish boxer Andy Lee was introduced. He is fighting Olegs Fedotovs in an eight round middleweight contest on Saturday’s undercard.
The Press Conference Quotes translated from German to English
Klaus-Peter Kohl: “We have applied for the WBA to make this fight also be for Ruslan’s WBA title to make it a unification bout.
“We haven’t heard anything official yet. It is clear to us that Ruslan Chagaev is the only and full WBA world champion.
“We feel this way because of the purse split for the cancelled fight against Valuev. Ruslan would have received 55% to Valuev’s 45%, but everyone can form their own opinion on that”
Emmanuel Steward: “Wladimir told me to speak in German, sorry!”
“I’m very excited about the fight between Wladimir and Chagaev because in America, we felt this was the best fight that could be made for Wladimir Klitschko.
“David Haye was fighting Wladimir only because he has a big mouth. He had never done anything in the heavyweight division to qualify him for a heavyweight championship fight.
“When we first were told about the cancellation of the Haye fight, the first thing that Wladimir told his manager was ‘Get me whoever you can, I am going to fight on June 20th if we cancel the fight we’re going to disappoint a lot of people, I’m not going to waste my time. I don’t care who you get, you don’t need to check with me; I’m going to fight.’
“Valuev was mentioned, but Chagaev was the best choice as Chagaev was already in training to fight someone who was much taller than Wladimir.
“The handicap is Wladimir’s because he is fighting a southpaw.” [Klitschko had trained to fight David Haye, an orthodox fighter].
Wladimir Klitschko: “OK, but I’ve fought three southpaws in my last 7 fights anyway”.
Emmanuel Steward: “But we feel it’s the best fight that can be made at this time in the heavyweight division for Wladimir.
“I think this fight is going to be a very crucial fight in the heavyweight division and I’m very excited about it and the fact that the fans are still buying tickets and excited, because this is a better fight than the David Haye one was.”
Ruslan Chagaev: “It has always been a dream for me to fight in Schalke, And now it’s becoming a reality.
“I have met the football team of Schalke previous to my fight in 2008 against Matt Skelton. I gave them a boxing lesson with my trainer Michael Timm.
“I’m so excited about the fight and Wladimir’s size difference doesn’t bother me because of I have already prepared myself for Valuev, who taller and heavier.
“I’m expecting to fight for the full 12 rounds. It’s in God’s hands what will happen on Saturday. I don’t have much more to say as my hands will speak in the ring.”
Wladimir Klitschko: “Chagaev is the best opponent I could have asked for. He is the ideal solutions after the cancellation from David Haye. He is the third best boxer after my brother and myself.”
“He also holds the WBA belt and is the true world champion as he already shown by defeating Nikolai Valuev.”
Michael Timm: “We didn’t come here to be just make up the numbers, We are here to win the this fight on Saturday.
“Ruslan has the talent and we have worked so hard. He has had no break in his training and we are very happy to have this chance.
“I would also like to thank Wladimir for taking this fight.”