Wladimir Klitschko (new interview)

[El Kabong]

www.klitschko.com

For Wladimir Klitschko matters concerning his fight with Chris Byrd, in which Wladimir won both the IBF and IBO heavyweight title, have ended and now he’s busy dealing with his next fight.
Wladimir’s stay in Kiev was limited only to one day, which he spend with the media. But the first interview Wladimir gave to us.

Wladimir, after your fights, you used to come back home. This time this tradition was broken. What happened?
The main promoter of my fight with Chris Byrd was K2 Promotions , which organized this fight and was responsible for various things, like accommodations, hotels for teams, TV broadcasts and other stuff. Thus it’s understandable that after my boxing break ended, my team and I had a lot of work to do. It also took up a lot of time.
Then I had to fly to New York, where I carried out negotiations concerning my future fight.

This actually really interests us, since there were various inconsistent reports concerning your future fight…
What I can tell you right now is that I don’t want to take a long pause and I’m going to carry out my next fight this October. It will take place in America, and I hope in New York’s famous MSG. For now I can’t tell who’s my opponent. But, undoubtedly, it will be a boxer who is considered as one of the top five best heavyweights in the world.

Your next fight, from what we understand, will be your voluntary defense of the world title?
Yes, I have a right to carry out a voluntary defense of my title and I am going to take advantage of this.

Wladimir, how realistic is it, that before your mandatory defense of the championship title, you’ll be able to face another titleholder and unify more belts?
I would really like a unification fight, but looking at what’s going on in the heavyweight division now, to organize such a fight would tale a lot of time. And, as I mentioned before, I don’t want to take long pauses in between my fights.

Wladimir, just recently it was announced that your mandatory defense would be against a winner of John Ruiz- Sultan Ibragimov. At the same time, news has appeared that your voluntary defense would be against the winner of Calvin Brock-Timor Ibragimov. What can you tell us about this?
I was offered to fight Calvin, but we can’t really talk about this until June 24th, when he fights Timor Ibragimov. If Calvin wins then we will continue our negotiations for a future fight with him.

Wladimir, James Toney’s name has been mentioned as your next opponent. Do you think that, after his scandal and mediocre performance in recent fights, a fight with James would create a lot of interest?
James is considered as one of the top five heavyweights. He’s undoubtedly skilled and strong fighter. Therefore our fight would be very interesting to boxing fans.

Wladimir, some press has quoted your words that you have made a very good offer to Lamon Brewster. Is this information true?
I’m ready to meet with Brewster, but as far as I know his health has been questionable since his fight with Sergei. But if he’s ready to fight me I will agree to it on a spot.

Wladimir is it possible to find out names of fighters you would like to face?
Hasim Rahman, Sergei Lyakhovich, Nikolay Valuev, James Toney, Lamon Brewster…

Wladimir, any predictions for Nikolay Valuev-Owen Beck and Hasim Rahman-Oleg Maskayev?
I hope that Nikolay Valuev and Oleg Maskayev will win.

Wladimir, last words to your fans…
I once again want to thank everyone that supported and supports me. Soon you all will find out when and where I will carry out my next fight and against whom. I hope that this information will be available soon.

[Gandalf]

good read, lyle CC

wlad against any of the top names is intriguing....wouldnt mind seeing him get it on with toney...

toney can either put up or be shut up for good....

[chamiley]

I would like to see Wlad avenge his loss to brewster or else he will be in worse situation concering his legacy than lennox when he retires

[El Kabong]

I would like to see Wlad avenge his loss to brewster or else he will be in worse situation concering his legacy than lennox when he retires

Yeah I would love to see that too. Wlad said he'd fight him on Nov-11 if Lamon was healthy and wanted the fight....I would much rather Brewster have a belt when they meet though! Either way Wlad has learned and I think he'd destroy Lamon Brewster in a rematch...I mean if he holds back on 20 punches in the 4th round he goes on to win via 7-8th round TKO

[Wacko3205]

Lyle.

I want to say for the record (admittedly & humbly) that I was never a big supporter of Wlad. I was more a Vitali fan based just on the facts that the man dropped the majority of men that he had faced & that I had never seen him in a real spot of trouble...that being said...I'm impressed with Wlad's desire to fight the best...he needs to this late in the game.

He could dominate the division IWO...but I'd rather him beat Brewster if Brewster get's past Lyachovich in a rematch...then & only then...because IWO...Wlad beat himself in the fight with Brewster.

Brewster landed some shots...but Wlad went down more out of exhaustion than anything.

I'm pretty curious as to what he does in the future & he def brings excitement back to the divsion.

[El Kabong]

Yeah I think Wlad vs anyone in the division is an exciting fight.

Lyakhovich impressed me vs an undefeated Guinn and Brewster....he's a tough dude. He can't punch though

[1st rd ko]

once again, "wlad sucks!"....................now hes the man on saddo. i never lost faith, though i liked vit better.

[mucho testosterone]

once again, "wlad sucks!"....................now hes the man on saddo. i never lost faith, though i liked vit better.

CC same here. Now we get to sit back and watch Wlad dominate the heavy scene and listen to the creative excuses of all the heavy fans that are in denial!

[LarryB]

I think Wlad is by far the best in the division right now.

Lye what made you become a fan of his?

[El Kabong]

Well I saw his first fights on HBO, the ones vs Charles Shufford, Ray Mercer, and Jameel McCline. I was just in awe of the offense that guy has. I'm used to big white guys fighting like Morrison and Cooney and it's not just because he's white, though it made it a little shocking to see him dominate being a white European. When he started out no one knew the Europeans were going to be this good everyone stereotyped them as stiff, robotic, with glass jaws. Wlad and Vitali were pretty fluid fighters, Vitali had a little bit of his kickboxing stance which made him awkward but that's different than being robotic. And Vitali had an awesome chin.

Another thing the typical Euro fighters are questioned about is heart, Wlad has heart. VS Sanders he kept getting up, vs Brewster in the 5th he was tired, couldn't keep his hands up but he took all of Brewster's best shots BUT he only collapsed at the end of the round from exhaustion.

I think Wlad has really improved and he is finally getting Manny's technique down pat and that spells trouble for anyone wanting to fight him. And the guy has balls, people say he's got a glass jaw, well he put the first L on Sam Peter's record....which after losing to Sanders and Brewster people said he should never fight a puncher. Sam Peter was his best fight so far, the demolition of Chris Byrd in the rematch and the win over (a prime, I guess that was his prime) Jameel McCline tied for second.

[LarryB]

Well I saw his first fights on HBO, the ones vs Charles Shufford, Ray Mercer, and Jameel McCline. I was just in awe of the offense that guy has. I'm used to big white guys fighting like Morrison and Cooney and it's not just because he's white, though it made it a little shocking to see him dominate being a white European. When he started out no one knew the Europeans were going to be this good everyone stereotyped them as stiff, robotic, with glass jaws. Wlad and Vitali were pretty fluid fighters, Vitali had a little bit of his kickboxing stance which made him awkward but that's different than being robotic. And Vitali had an awesome chin.

Another thing the typical Euro fighters are questioned about is heart, Wlad has heart. VS Sanders he kept getting up, vs Brewster in the 5th he was tired, couldn't keep his hands up but he took all of Brewster's best shots BUT he only collapsed at the end of the round from exhaustion.

I think Wlad has really improved and he is finally getting Manny's technique down pat and that spells trouble for anyone wanting to fight him. And the guy has balls, people say he's got a glass jaw, well he put the first L on Sam Peter's record....which after losing to Sanders and Brewster people said he should never fight a puncher. Sam Peter was his best fight so far, the demolition of Chris Byrd in the rematch and the win over (a prime, I guess that was his prime) Jameel McCline tied for second.

Cool!!
It would make me sick if Toney got a shot at his title
not only is he fat and doesnt undeserve it
How many chnaces is he going to get
Do you think he would take Lamon Brewster in a Rematch?

[El Kabong]

Rumor has it Toney is getting a shot at Wlad's title....but I think the worry should be over right there, that's the last title shot he'll ever want!

In a rematch vs Brewster I favor Wlad a lot. Wlad has learned to pace himself better and Manny has done a good job of keeping him calm in the corner and not overloading him with what he needs to do and vs Chris Byrd Wlad and Manny were really on the same page which makes me think Wlad is going to be a threat to anyone in the future. Manny said that the strategy used against Sam Peter would work against Byrd and Wlad said "Yeah, I saw" the next round Wlad knocks Byrd down. Also with that round Wlad didn't shoot his load trying to KO Chris right there he knew he was dominating and took his sweet time.

If Wlad had not thrown EVERYTHING at Brewster in the 4th because he knocked him down then I think Wlad would have TKO'd Brewster in the 7th or 8th round. As long as Wlad paces himself he's golden. He dominates with that 1-2 and the hook he has is INCREDIBLE, it flows right off his jab and it's the most powerful punch he has