Interview with Roman Karmazin

www.fightnews.com

July 3, 2006



by Lee Bates



FightNews spoke with IBF 154-lb Champion Roman Karmazin (34-1-1, 21 KOs) at his last official training camp day. Karmazin is scheduled to defend his Title against former Undisputed Welterweight Champion Cory Spinks (34-3, 11 KOs) in Spinks' hometown of St. Louis, July 8, live on Showtime.



Karmazin trained at the famous Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, California. His ripped abs showed that he had put in several weeks of serious training for his upcoming title defense. The gym, which is owned by top trainer Freddie Roach, is well known for its heated sparring sessions and the world's top fighters who work-out there.



While most fighters are usually just polishing up on things on the final day of training camp, it was just the opposite for Karmazin. Karmazin trained for two solid hours, which included a very intense sparring session where he busted his sparring partner’s nose to the point where he was heavily bleeding. Karmazin also delivered several massive body shots as well which stopped his sparring partner in his tracks on multiple occasions.



Immediately after the workout, the St. Petersburg, Russia, native spoke about the effects of the long layoffs for he and Spinks, how is used to fighting as the visitor, how proud he is of the recent success of the Eastern European fighters, how more pressure is on Spinks to win since the fight is in his hometown, and how he plans to utilize his size advantage.



Roman not only are you fighting in Spinks’ hometown, but the fight is going to be broadcast live in Russia as well. Do you feel any added pressure to perform well?



I do want to perform well, no doubt, but it is Spinks who will have the pressure of fighting live in person in front of his hometown fans.



During the last six years, you have only fought in your hometown of Russia only one time. During this period, you have fought in Spain, Germany, England, Denmark, and the U.S. Are you comfortable fighting away from home?



This is true. It's something that I have become accustomed to doing now.



Spinks has not fought in nearly 18 months and you have not fought in nearly a year. Do you feel that either one of you is at any more of a disadvantage than the other as far a ring rust is concerned?



Honestly no. One year to 18 months, there is not too much of a difference there. I obviously would like to have been fighting more often, but I don't control that.



In Spinks' last fight, against Zab Judah, he was knocked out in nine rounds. Do you think that knockout is still on his mind?



Absolutely. You don't forget being knocked out and because of that you’re generally more cautious because you don't want to be knocked out again.



Are you planning on attacking early knowing that he may still have some lingering affects, mentally, from being knocked out?



I don't want stray away from what I normally do, but I do know that I have to be very decisive in beating him if I want to come out victorious in his hometown.



How does it make you feel to see how much success Eastern European fighters like yourself have been having recently?



It is a great feeling to tell you the truth, but it is not surprising to me at all because I have known for a long time how good the talent is in Eastern Europe. I'm not saying this because they’re my "homies," (laughing) or anything like that, I'm just speaking the truth. WBA Heavyweight Champion, Nikolay Valuev, who is also from my native St. Petersburg, Russia, and I are very good friends. There is also a lot more talent on the way as well.



Getting back to Spinks, do you think that because of the fact that he is moving up in weight and also that he was not a big puncher at 140 or 147, that you will have an advantage over him?



History shows that a good big man generally beats a good smaller man, but Spinks was an undisputed champion at 147 and I cannot take him lightly at all and I won't. I've trained very hard for this fight. I fully expect that he is coming to win, and to do so, he can't run all night. He'll have to stand and fight during the fight. It will be during those moments that I'll have to utilize my physical advantages.

To be honest I think Spinks may have bitten off more than he can chew after such a long lay off...I can really see Karmazin beginning to impose himself on this one as the fight progresses...

Yea we'll see.. Honestly I can't comment on Karmazin at all.. He beat Ouma decisvely so he must be a very good fighter.. THe only thing I can think is that he lost to Javier Castilliejo or whatever a few years ago, I don't know maybe he has trouble with slick speed fighters.. You'd think Spinks camp would have to see something in him to take the fight after a Ko loss and long layoff, maybe Spinks can pull this one off, I don't expect a pretty fight either way.