Kempo Chris
12-01-2003, 10:10 AM
Vitali Klitschko: - Exclusive Fight Week Interview
Reported By: Boxing Insider - 12.01.2003 02:33 AM
from www.*************.com
Interview EXCLUSIVE! Vitali Klitschko
By Scoop Malinowski
He is the heavyweight contender who is considered "the most likely to succeed" Lennox Lewis as the next world heavyweight champion. Vitali Klitschko meets Kirk Johnson in a WBC eliminator on December 6th at Madison Square Garden.
Kirk "Bubba" Johnson is a dangerous test for Klitschko. No heavyweight has ever really decisively beaten the Canadian. Johnson's DQ loss (on low blows) to John Ruiz last year was disappointing yes, but now it's ancient history. The fact remains that Kirk Johnson is big, fast, strong, smart and a skillful threat. And it is conceivable that he can finally galvanize all of his obvious attributes on this one night...much like another inconsistent heavyweight named James "Buster" Douglas did one unforgettable night in Tokyo a few years back.
Vitali Klitschko: proved so much in his gallant fight with Lewis. He disproved all of the many critics who said he lacked a fighting heart. Now we know Klitschko is willing to walk through the fire, willing to endure anything...to fulfill his quest to become world heavyweight champion. Klitschko showed that he almost seems obsessed and possessed by some sort of destiny. His effort and performance against Lewis won him new admirers and supporters all over the world.
So December 6th will be a very important night - a must-see event - in this evolutionary stage of the re-forming heavyweight division. Here is the latest from Vitali Klitschko:
*************.com: How has life changed since you so impressively earned the respect of the boxing world against Lennox is Los Angeles?
Vitali Klitschko: "After good performance, after good fight, I'm a little more famous in United States. You know, after Chris Byrd fight, many people (say that) this fighter has no balls. Nobody believed me I tore my ligament in my shoulder. Because I stop fight, I can fight again. And after Lennox Lewis fight, I show everybody I am fighter, I am really good fighter. And it was not right them being mean about me after Byrd fight."
*************.com: Is there any concern about your eye cuts reopening?
Vitali Klitschko: "Not concerned about my eye at all."
*************.com: You surprised a lot of people in that fight with Lewis. Did you surprise yourself?
Vitali Klitschko: "No. I don't surprise myself. I was ready for the fight. I know me better than somebody."
*************.com: What did you learn about Lennox Lewis in that fight?
Vitali Klitschko: "Nothing. I know Lennox Lewis. I studied him very well before the fight. And I know his weaknesses and his strong side. Just one point is learned. I think about Lennox he is gentleman. And after last fight he tell all people...I was a little surprised that Lennox don't accept me. Before the fight he don't accept me and I was surprised he don't accept me after the fight too [laughs]."
*************.com: Why will you win this fight with Kirk Johnson? What will be the difference?
Vitali Klitschko: "It's a good question for boxing experts [smiles]. And you see I'm a head higher than Kirk Johnson. And Kirk Johnson is very strong fighter, different. I'm sorry, it's a good question, not for me. I can't predict. Sports are interesting because there is no way to know the outcome. In heavyweight boxing, every punch can determine the result. I don't want to give a prediction, but I will be prepared to do my best and win."
*************.com: Do you think Lennox Lewis will fight again?
Vitali Klitschko: "Nobody knows that. Except Lennox Lewis don't know that too [laughs]. So nobody know that. And everybody want to see the rematch. And I HOPE rematch happens in next year."
Reported By: Boxing Insider - 12.01.2003 02:33 AM
from www.*************.com
Interview EXCLUSIVE! Vitali Klitschko
By Scoop Malinowski
He is the heavyweight contender who is considered "the most likely to succeed" Lennox Lewis as the next world heavyweight champion. Vitali Klitschko meets Kirk Johnson in a WBC eliminator on December 6th at Madison Square Garden.
Kirk "Bubba" Johnson is a dangerous test for Klitschko. No heavyweight has ever really decisively beaten the Canadian. Johnson's DQ loss (on low blows) to John Ruiz last year was disappointing yes, but now it's ancient history. The fact remains that Kirk Johnson is big, fast, strong, smart and a skillful threat. And it is conceivable that he can finally galvanize all of his obvious attributes on this one night...much like another inconsistent heavyweight named James "Buster" Douglas did one unforgettable night in Tokyo a few years back.
Vitali Klitschko: proved so much in his gallant fight with Lewis. He disproved all of the many critics who said he lacked a fighting heart. Now we know Klitschko is willing to walk through the fire, willing to endure anything...to fulfill his quest to become world heavyweight champion. Klitschko showed that he almost seems obsessed and possessed by some sort of destiny. His effort and performance against Lewis won him new admirers and supporters all over the world.
So December 6th will be a very important night - a must-see event - in this evolutionary stage of the re-forming heavyweight division. Here is the latest from Vitali Klitschko:
*************.com: How has life changed since you so impressively earned the respect of the boxing world against Lennox is Los Angeles?
Vitali Klitschko: "After good performance, after good fight, I'm a little more famous in United States. You know, after Chris Byrd fight, many people (say that) this fighter has no balls. Nobody believed me I tore my ligament in my shoulder. Because I stop fight, I can fight again. And after Lennox Lewis fight, I show everybody I am fighter, I am really good fighter. And it was not right them being mean about me after Byrd fight."
*************.com: Is there any concern about your eye cuts reopening?
Vitali Klitschko: "Not concerned about my eye at all."
*************.com: You surprised a lot of people in that fight with Lewis. Did you surprise yourself?
Vitali Klitschko: "No. I don't surprise myself. I was ready for the fight. I know me better than somebody."
*************.com: What did you learn about Lennox Lewis in that fight?
Vitali Klitschko: "Nothing. I know Lennox Lewis. I studied him very well before the fight. And I know his weaknesses and his strong side. Just one point is learned. I think about Lennox he is gentleman. And after last fight he tell all people...I was a little surprised that Lennox don't accept me. Before the fight he don't accept me and I was surprised he don't accept me after the fight too [laughs]."
*************.com: Why will you win this fight with Kirk Johnson? What will be the difference?
Vitali Klitschko: "It's a good question for boxing experts [smiles]. And you see I'm a head higher than Kirk Johnson. And Kirk Johnson is very strong fighter, different. I'm sorry, it's a good question, not for me. I can't predict. Sports are interesting because there is no way to know the outcome. In heavyweight boxing, every punch can determine the result. I don't want to give a prediction, but I will be prepared to do my best and win."
*************.com: Do you think Lennox Lewis will fight again?
Vitali Klitschko: "Nobody knows that. Except Lennox Lewis don't know that too [laughs]. So nobody know that. And everybody want to see the rematch. And I HOPE rematch happens in next year."