Wladimir Klitschko Interview

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Wladimir Klitschko gradually enters the final stretch that leads him into a ring against Calvin Brock. Boxing fans around the world impatiently anticipate this duel. For Wladimir this duel is not only a chance to celebrate his double anniversary in professional boxing, but also to make a big statement that he is ready to reach his ultimate purpose in boxing.
Wladimir, after September’s promotion of the fight, which takes place in Madison Square Garden on November 11, has turned into a hermit, completely concentrated on preparation. However, even thought Wladimir has stayed away from media, he made an exception for his official website and kindly answered our questions.

Wladimir, how’s your training going?
Everything is great and going according to our plans that Emmanuel and I developed. Last week we finished my first stage of preparation, which focused on physical training. Everything was accomplished 100 percent. Now I’m sparring and working out strategies for the fight, developing certain tactics and practicing new combinations and moves.

Are you pleased with training?
Absolutely. In my opinion, the most important thing that is need in order to be prepared for the upcoming fight is having complete concentration on your training. To accomplish this I have all conditions necessary to fully prepare and enjoy results.

Weather doesn’t hinder training?
No. It even helps. It’s sunny and warm, with temperatures between 60-66 Fahrenheit (16-18 Celsius). I feel comfortably training in this weather.

Wladimir, you mentioned that your training camp is in a location where great fighters like Mohammed Ali, Joe Frazier, and Lennox Lewis trained for their fights…do you feel any special connection, or motivation…inspiration…
If you expect me to feel a certain supernatural feeling, then I’m sorry to disappoint you. But it’s calm here and as I mentioned before, I can concentrate on my preparation. That’s why we chose this camp for our upcoming fight.

Are you happy with the amount of sparring partners, and their quality?
We were very serious in selection of my sparring partners. We have more than enough and their quality is respectful.

Wladimir, when you select sparring partners you want to match their qualities with those of your future opponent. What criterion was used this time?
Among my sparring partners, there are both fast and technical boxers, fighters who conduct rigid and defensive fight, as well as those who are really good at clinching. But the main thing is that physically they are similar to Calvin Brock with his fight style.

And how would you characterize Calvin’s style?
Quite a standard style, with a strong foundation and basics from the amateurs.

And in my opinion Brock’s style is possible to characterize as something between cautious technique and John Ruiz’s style – “hit and clinch.” What do you think?
I wouldn’t name Calvin Brock’s style as cautious or as “hit and clinch.” In my opinion, his style is rather aggressive. If you closely watch his duels, it is possible to see that Calvin is extremely aggressive both in attack and in defense. I want to remind you that the main thing in boxing is defense. You don’t want your opponent to land any big ones. It seems to me, that Calvin is quite good at protecting and in attacking.

Wladimir, quite frankly I don’t get it why Calvin agreed to fight you. If you analyze his professional career it seems his team picked safe fights, where he would be at least 70 to 30 favorite. Most boxing analysts, as well as bookkeepers, consider you a clear favorite in this fight. What do you think was the real cause that Brock agreed to this fight – money, miscalculation or a chance for success?
First of all, to get a chance at carrying out a duel for a championship title is not easy. You have to be highly rated or become official challenger. Calvin is in the top ratings of most boxing organizations, and he’s undefeated in his professional career. In his last fight he confidently beat Timor Ibragimov, who was also undefeated before facing Calvin. Besides, if a fighter really wishes to reach the top, sooner or later, he needs to make decision on carrying out such a duel. It’s difficult for me to decide on a reason that motivated Brock for this fight. But it seems to me that Calvin believes he is ready to struggle for the championship title. Otherwise he wouldn’t fight me.

You have mentioned Calvin’s last fight against Timor Ibragimov. It seemed that the last half Brock had complete physical and psychological advantage. So what was it –was Calvin that great, or Ibragimov that bad…
From a duel to a duel it’s hard to tell if a boxer had shown his full potential. In my opinion it depends on opponent, if the fight is entertaining and intriguing. Timor and Calvin were both undefeated coming into this fight, both expecting a victory. If you look back, Timor was rather aggressive in the first three rounds and Brock responded. But in later rounds Ibragimov lost any desire to win, giving Brock an easy victory.
Of course this wasn’t as entertaining or intriguing. But boxing’s history is full of such fights. Remember Lennox Lewis’ fight against David Tua.
Therefore one fight is not the same as another, and sometimes style of one fighter doesn't match the other fighter, making their fight quite dull. Then again, keep in mind, the fight is forgotten, but its result remains.

So what about your upcoming fight with Brock…Will it be twelve round chess match or explosive slugfest?
I know that Calvin Brock is very motivated to win. Therefore he will be fully prepared for our fight. The fight can go either way from a chess match to a slugfest. But we’ll only find out on November 11th.

Well, let me tell you what I think. Having analyzed both Calvin and yours last fights, it’s quite possible to expect a chess match with explosion in the middle or second half of the fight…
Everything is possible…I’m preparing for different scenarios, from quick start to long struggle. I’m ready for twelve rounds.

Valuev’s fight against Barrett…your opinion?
Early in the fight I worried a little for Valuev, but he managed to find strategy and tactics, which allowed him to win. Valuev used his size and punches to tire Barrett out. As Monte became weaker Valuev did as he should have – knocking him down, which resulted in TKO.
I respect Valuev, and even thought some experts and boxing fans criticized him, he enters the ring and leaves it as a world champion.

What about Oleg Maskaev’s decision to defend his title against Peter Okhello. What do you make of it?
Oleg will carry out his first title defense of the WBC belt in Moscow. This will be a big gift to all boxing fans both in Russia and in the former USSR. I really don’t know how difficult or easy this fight will be since I don’t know Peter Okhello and never seen his fights.

Wladimir, recently, in one of the interviews, Oleg Maskaev stated that your offer for unification fight was “…somewhat empty…”. You comment?
The offer on carrying out unification fight was offered to all world champions, including Oleg Maskaev. He has promoters and managers that work on his fights. If they chose not to inform Maskaev the real details of my offer then it’s Oleg’s problem. I personally did not talk to Oleg. Promoters and managers should conduct all negotiations like that.

Wladimir, WBC wants a rematch between Samuel Peter and James Toney…
I, just like many boxing fans, think this fight was way too close to call. With no clear winner you can’t have a mandatory challenger to the WBC belt. So I agree with this decision for a rematch.

Wladimir, Peter’s team claimed that he has considerable improved both his style and technique, since you fought him. Do you agree?
Unfortunately since our fight I wouldn’t say that Peter improved technically. He still completely depends on power punches to breakdown and knockout his opponent.

Your predictions for Peter-Tony II?
It’s quite possible there will be a trilogy to this fight…

Wladimir, recently Serguei Lyakhovich stated that you are trying to avoid him…
I mentioned it before… an offer to carry out a unification fight was send to Lyakhovich’ promoter Don King. If Don King decided that it’s unnecessary to inform Serguei than it’s their problem.
Serguei had a perfect chance to fight me in April of last year. He refused that fight after initially agreeing. So I would be careful reading his statements. As soon as his promoter decides on this fight, we are ready to begin negotiations.

On November 4th, Lyakhovich is defending his title against Shannon Briggs. Your predictions…
There is a chance that either could win or lose. Lyakhovich and Briggs are fairly equal.

Wladimir, hypothetically after November 11th, is it possible that your next fights will be unification?
Of course, such fights are possible, as my main goal in boxing is to unify championship titles. However, without a victory over Calvin Brock, it’s impossible.

Wladimir, according to the latest data, tickets for the upcoming fight are selling fast. All of the $1,000 dollar seats are sold out. Are you satisfied that your goal of raising at least $250,000 dollars, to support Education For Children In Need project in Namibia, is going to be a success?
I know that tickets are selling well. However I don’t have any data. I am confident that we will reach this sum.

Wladimir, your wishes to the boxing fans…
For me the upcoming fight is a double anniversary – ten years as a professional and my fiftieth pro fight. Therefore, I would like to thank everyone who was with us all these ten years. I want to thank for your support and understanding. Ten years is a large part of anyone’s life. Looking back, I’m even more confident about the future. Today I’m at the beginning of a peak, with new opportunities. I want to please my fans with new victories. On November 11th, I will do everything to win this fight for you.

man,
Talk about classy, and respectful.
Gotta wish there were more like em in the HWD. or in boxing period

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Big_Deuce

man,
Talk about classy, and respectful.
Gotta wish there were more like em in the HWD. or in boxing period

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I was thinking the samething. Hes isn't arrogant at all kinda makes me want him to win Nov 11th, I'm really looking forward to that fight though. If Brock did his homework then this one could be a good one.

I doubt Brock can handle Wlad's power but the big guy is all class!

Nice Read :)

wladimir is a gentleman in and out of the ring, and this interveiw is no execption. i fell he will defeat calvin brock. if jameel mcline can knock brock down, then wlad can certainly knock him out.

I'm just wondering what's next for Wlad? I hate to think past this fight but I really don't see it being that competitive.

Odds are, Brock can't take that kind of power, Brock will wear down, or Brock will be on defense for 12 rounds