By Alexey Sukachev and Dmitry Mikhalchuk
Controversy is still here but it looks like WBA interim middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (19-0, 16 KOs) of Kazakhstan will cast aside fromd aside from a possible fight for the vacant (“full”) version of the World Boxing Association 160lbs title. At least for now, as the contest between WBA #2 France-based Cameroonian Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (24-0, 17 KOs) and WBA #3 Ukraine-residing Georgian Avtandil Khurtsidze (22-1-2, 13 KOs) has been officially confirmed (although by Team Khurtsidze, not by the WBA officials) for a vacant title, while Golovkin (in his recent interview to Naringe.kz) indicated he would appear on Nov. 13 on the undercard of the Texas blockbuster between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Maragrito and then return to his fight practices on Dec. 16 in his Homeland.
Khurtsidze will collide with N’Jikam on Oct. 30 in Paris, France, on a show being brought up by prominent French promoter Michel Acaries. Khurtsidze, who is handled by Kiev-based Elite Boxing Promotion, is already in the midst of his preparations for a fight with N’Jikam. He is now training in Balaklava under the guidance of Elite’s head coach and former world-ranked contender Andriy Sinepupov. On Sep. 27 Khurtsidze will be back to Kiev to continue there with sparring session with specifically chosen boxers from France, USA and Great Britain. Khurtsidze is a man on a mission to become the first ever Georgian major beltholder.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, WBA interim champion Goolovkin was contacted by Allboxing.ru correspondent Yuri Tarantin a few days before an aforementioned announcement for a short interview, in which he gave his opinions about what’s presently going on in middleweight and neighboring weight classes and answered collected questions from fight fans.
Tarantin: What can you say about your relations with Beibut Shumenov and Vasily Jirov?
Golovkin: I’m on wonderful terms with all of them. I have no problems with both Beibut and Vasily whatsoever. They are my countrymen and I always have pleasure in speaking with them and supporting them.
Tarantin: What is your thought about Super Six World Boxing Classic?
Golovkin: Personally, I don’t watch those fights and I think this tournament is useless. On my mind, Lucian Bute did the right thing by not taking part in this competition.
Tarantin: Do you plan a step up into the super middleweight to take on your former amateur victims (Lucian) Bute and Andre Dirrell, who are now prominent figures in that particular weight class?
Golovkin: As of now, I’m fully into the middleweight picture and I’m more worried of my match-ups there. Time will tell whether I move up in weight or not. I don’t exclude such a possibility.
Tarantin: When will you finally fight for the WBA full title?
Golovkin: I’m planning a fight for a full title in November but who knows. We shall define the certain opponent and the date/venue of this contest in the closes future.
Tarantin: Who is the best middleweight at the time? Whom do you want to collide with in the ring?
Golovkin: I’m targeting each and every champion in my weight class. However, I consider Paul Williams to be the best middleweight at the moment.
Tarantin: You were previously known to be an aggressor in the ring. What’s with the switch in style? How are your coping with stamina problems?
Golovkin: I have no problems with stamina. I’m trying to build up myself in various directions and increased experience helps me much. Aggressiveness isn’t bad; actually it makes up for thrilling fights. Fans love it.
Tarantin: What’s your opinion of the WBO champion Dmitry Pirog? Would you defeat him if the two of you share the same ring?
Golovkin: I wish to congratulate Dima on this fascinating achievement. Surely, we would consider such a fight as I tend to unify belts in my weight class. We shall contact Pirog and his handlers as soon as possible.
Tarantin: Have you finally ended your relations with Universum Box-Promotion?
Golovkin: I quit Team Universum in January. Now there are legal procedures going on. We are waiting for the decision from the court pretty soon. I have my own team and I have a great sponsor in TAK Sports Group. I intend to continue my work with them.
Tarantin: Tell us a few words about your new trainer Abel Sanchez.
Golovkin: I’m deeply satisfied with our mutual approach. Abel helps much in improving me both physically and tactically; I feel myself much stronger with him and I was able to get an invaluable experience through my training process with Sanchez.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming back to Almaty, Kazakhstan, GGG (Gennady’s unofficial “signature/nickname”) and his manager Oleg Hermann spoke to Talgat Isenov of Naringe.Kz about their future plans.
Hermann: “We were in negotiations with Team N’Jikam but it is obvious to me Hassan either isn’t ready for such a test of he doesn’t want to take it. So, Gennady will appear next on November 13 in Dallas. We shall name the certain opponent during the next week”.
Golovkin: “Another reason why I’m back to my Homeland now is that I want to fight in front of my dear fans. I intend to fight at home on Dec. 16 either here, in Almaty, or in Astana. A number of younger Kazakh talents will test their skills in undercard of this bout. I really want to give back to local boxing community”.
