By Yuri Tarantin (Allboxing.ru) and Alexey Sukachev (translation)

Less than two years ago Alexander Alekseev (now 19-2, 17 KOs), 29, was probably the hottest cruiserweight prospect in the game. With a striking series of 16 wins, 15 kayos, he was thought to be the next world-beater and (almost a no-brainer) a future star to look after. Now, with two bitter losses in last five outings (a retirement in Ramirez fight – in January 2009; and a crushing kayo by the left hook of Denis Lebedev – in July 2010) Alekseev’s future can be re-evaluated – at least. Yuri Tarantin of Allboxing.ru contacted Alexander to know where his career is heading now.

Alekseev: No, nothing is finalized yet. It cannot be done by paying only a lip service; there are some papers to be formed, some signatures to be put. It takes quite a time to resolve everything.

Tarantin: So, when will your agreement be terminated?

Alekseev: At the very beginning of 2011.

Tarantin: Who has taken the lead and what was the reason?

Alekseev: After my summer disaster, when I had lost to Lebedev, we arranged a series of negotiations with Team Universum about my future prospects but failed to reduce our opinions to a common denominator. What they offered me didn't go well with me and vice versa. So you can say that both parties were initiators of a breakup indeed.

Tarantin: Are you conducting any negotiations with other promoters?

Alekseev: Surely, there are. I don’t want to put out any names for two reasons. Firstly, not everything is settled down with my former promoters. Secondly, those negotiations are just starting so right now it’s hard to state something in definite expressions.

Tarantin: Do I get it right, and there’s no shortage in offers?

Alekseev: No, there has never been a shortage of propositions. German, American and Russian promoters – all of them are interested in me. The most important point is that after the New Year I’ll be a free agent so no kickbacks will be necessary for an early termination of my agreement; and I’ll be free to negotiate with whomever I want to negotiate.

Tarantin: After your July defeat, there was no news from you. Fans started to think you decided to hang’em up. Have you ever thought about calling it a day?

Alekseev: It was more about a clear vision of my future and targeting. If you cannot see a final goal and if there’s a doubt in a meaning of your actions, maybe it’s better to stop and to re-evaluate your position. Given that, I decided not to give any comments about my future in pro boxing. Any info has a tendency to be distorted while transmitting from one source to another. That wasn’t what I really wanted. I don’t have any problems with motivation; there are bigger problems in my training camp, in my daily routine.

Speaking, about the end of my career… There were various thoughts. So it was useful to view various possibilities. Sooner or later, I’ll have to finish my pro career and to quit professional sport, at least as a competitor. Every boxer, every sportsman had such thoughts on his mind and I’m not an exception. But I’ve chosen the other way, so now I can move only forward and there shouldn’t be any doubts. I’ve made my choice, the target is set – it’s that simple. The only problem is just to find a place where I’ll be able to realize my dream.

Tarantin: Is this goal the same? Do you want to get a shot at title?

Alekseev: No, I don’t want to get a shot at title. I want to become a world champion – this is the goal (smiles).

Tarantin: Thank you for your time.

Aleskeev: My pleasure.