Klit interview

Wladimir Klitschko, while not the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, is indisputably the best heavyweight in the world. As he prepares for his battle on November 11 against undefeated Calvin Brock, Wladimir took the time to answer a few questions for Doghouse readers.

Sean Newman: Wladimir, how is your training going?

Wladimir Klitschko: Thanks, my training camp passes perfectly. A place where I prepare for a forthcoming duel, many great boxers - Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis … chose for their preparation. Here, there are quiet conditions which allows me to concentrate as much as possible on my preparation for the forthcoming fight.

SN: First of all, what do you think about the other heavyweight champions: Maskaev, Lyakhovich, and Valuev?

WK: They deserve the belts of world champions, having won them in difficult fights. I respect all of them.

SN: What did you think of Valuev’s performance against Monte Barrett?

WK: Monte Barrett began the fight rather aggressively, and it seemed to me, that for Nikolai to cope with this aggression it was a little complex. But, eventually, Barrett's functional condition started to decrease, and Valuev could strike more exact blows. And the result of the fight speaks for itself.

SN: The Ring Magazine currently rates you number one at heavyweight, with Maskaev at number two. A fight between you and Maskaev would crown a Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion of the World. How important is that fight and that distinction to you? Would that fight be a possibility after the Brock fight, assuming you do get past Calvin?

WK: I consider that, thought it is too early to speak about my duel against Oleg Maskaev as I now am completely concentrated on my duel against Calvin Brock. Certainly, to be rated the first fighter of a super heavyweight battalion in the opinion of such an authoritative magazine is honorable. It is necessary to confirm this rank constantly, spending fights with the strongest fighters of a super heavyweight division. And to conversation on a duel against Oleg Maskaev, let's return to that after my fight against Calvin Brock. I shall say this, while my overall objective is to unite the titles of the world champion in my hands.

SN: I know you get tired of hearing this, but questions remain about your chin, stamina, and confidence. Are these things something that concern you personally, and do you work on improving them in your training?

WK: I think, that on many questions on my endurance, a fortress of a chin and the belief in a victory, I have already answered this with my last fights. I perfectly understand that in those fights things are expected of me in the future, but easy fights or weak contenders are not present. Therefore I prepare for each fight very diligently and responsibly. But, if someone has doubts on the account of my physical qualities or the fighter I am fighting, the best answer to these doubts will be the result of my fight.

SN: The fight with Shannon Briggs fell through. As I’m sure you are aware, Shannon is a big puncher who
likes to rush his opponents with a two-fisted assault from the opening bell. This would be his gameplan against you, especially so because of the questions mentioned above. How would you combat a big puncher who would come at you hard from the first bell?

WK: I have heard about the all controversy regarding the fight with Briggs, but at the end of the day his team has refused our proposal. And anyway, I’ve got enough experience on how to get along with different styles of fighting.

SN: Calvin Brock is a talented, undefeated fighter. Do you foresee this being a difficult fight for you?

WK: I shall not underestimate Brock, but also to overestimate Calvin. I have closely studied his style and tactics. With his experience in the amateur ring he has a good basis for carrying out of fights already in a professional ring where he has not lost any fight. Calvin is not the simple fighter. It is difficult to me to tell how heavy or easy my fight will be against Brock. You will receive the answer on November, 11th.

SN: What impresses you most about Brock?

WK: His style which allows him to win.

SN: Who would you most like to fight in your next fight if you get past Brock?

WK: I think it’s a wrong question at this time, my next opponent is Brock.

SN: Finally, Wladimir, your brother Vitali lost the mayoral election in Kiev. Does he plan to continue a career in politics, and do you think that perhaps that might be the road you take someday?

WK: While I completely did not realize myself in sports, therefore the future I'm to a kind in boxing. Outside of a ring, we, with Vitali, are engaged in the realization of the joint project from UNESCO (Education for Children in Need). On November 11th, we will pass one of stages of realization of this project, as a minimum of 250,000 dollars collected from sold tickets for my fight against Calvin Brock, will be directed for that. This will see that children of Namibia could receive good formation, and together with the chance of a happy future. Vitali now works in the parliament of Kiev, solving a lot of questions both for the city and for its inhabitants. Besides, Vitali is not only a politician, but also a public figure, accepting wide participation in a public and political life in Ukraine.

SN: Thanks for your time, Wladimir.

Writer’s Note: I would like to thank Yuriy Nesterenko, webmaster for www.klitschko.com for all of his help in setting up this interview and all of his very helpful assistance in the past.

http://www.doghouseboxing.com/newman/newman_101306.htm

Definately an educated man. Reading this interview was like reading a formal statement kind of thing. Hes not dumb thats for sure ;D

Wlad is the best of the heavyweights right now. He has learned more in his losses than he is credited for, and he has continued to grow under Manny's guidance. He is near flawless technically speaking, especially for a giant, has tremendous power in both hands, and for a guy that could rely solely on his size he chooses to be slick and engaging.

He is well spoken, well educated, and certifiably pedigreed. Look for huge things out of Wlad, I think his rocky spells are over.

I can't see anyone taking him.

The champs are such nice dudes. Maskaev is just so friendly and Wlad so straight. If they met I would feel bad no matter who lost.

I know nothing about Lyakovich the word is that he is the 2nd best in the world. I saw a few seconds on youtube of him and he took big punches from Brewster and came back.

Valuev is real nice too. I think I could do better with even more 1st, 2nd round aggression; and if that doesnt work, back to low grinding gear.