By Inna “Basya” Lagun (Allboxing) and Alexey Sukachev
Following his convincing unanimous decision (117-112, 117-111 and 118-110) over Australian veteran Kali Meehan this past Saturday former WBA heavyweight titleholder and now WBA mandatory challenger Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan (26-1-1, 17 KOs) found a moment to share his thoughts about Meehan fight with Allboxing and BoxingScene.
BoxingScene: Ruslan, are you satisfied with your performance on Saturday night?
Chagaev: I’m satisfied but I cannot say I’m fully satisfied, not 100% at least. I haven’t been boxing for a while (eleven months since Klitschko fight) so going the full distance suits me well. I checked my reflexes, felt the distance. However, should the battle have ended in a knockout I had been content with it as well.
BoxingScene: However, you weren’t pressed to go for a kayo win, were you?
Chagaev: I know fans and supporters are rooting for a spectacular victory and something truly sensational, especially after a lengthy hiatus. But I tried to follow the pre-planned strategy and to conduct everything which had been scheduled for me prior this bout. It worked out well for me.
BoxingScene: Which round was the defining one in terms of your confidence?
Chagaev: It was somewhere in the second half of the fight when I finally took the clash under my control. I was a bit constrained at the starters but then I found my way to overcome Meehan’s resistance.
BoxingScene: Are you satisfied with the way you have distributed your stamina over the course of the fight?
Chagaev: Nah-nah, I had enough fuel left in tank for at least two extra rounds (smiles). Between the eleventh and the twelfth stanza Maga (Chagaev’s coach Magomed Schaburow) asked me how I felt myself. I answered this question in somewhat, e-e-rhg… you know… somewhat abusive language. I’ve got to know later that German TV translated it as “sehr gut”. Well, they were correct (laughs). I was pumped up at the post-fight presser as well and just couldn’t stop chatting.
BoxingScene: Your weight for this fight was 231 lbs. Was this your prime weight?
Chagaev: That’s my usual fight weight. Yeah, it was optimal for me at the time.
BoxingScene: Were there any mistakes in your boxing worth noting?
Chagaev: A good share of them in fact. I was working sparsely with my right jab. I also conducted a number of past mistakes: was falling forward without a punch, wasn’t applying a continuous pressure. Also, Maga asked me several times to do what should have been done but I was too concentrated on the fight and the situation dictated me to avoid some of Schaburow’s advices. Should I have followed them the outcome had been different. However, I’m a work in progress and I was too raw following this lay-off.
BoxingScene: Despite standing behind the tight guard you have received your load of Meehan’s punches. Were they powerful enough for you?
Chagaev: Meehan can crack and not a bit. I felt his punches very well and I was amazed with their quality. They were truly telling.
BoxingScene: There was a moment in the fight, when Meehan stopped for a moment and nodded you. Were you able to tag him in that episode?
Chagaev: Yeah, now I remember. That was a liver punch, which had drawn his attention.
BoxingScene: What do you think was the reason for Meehan losing?
Chagaev: I don’t know. Ask him.
BoxingScene: Meehan is considerably bigger than you. Did you feel that in the ring?
Chagaev: No, not at all. I didn’t pay any attention to this problem.
BoxingScene: Were you nervous before the fight?
Chagaev: Quite a bit. This bout was really important. A number of things dictated me a higher responsibility. Losing wasn’t an option at all.
BoxingScene: It looks like: a). Haye will have some holidays due to family issues; b). He is planning to fight Audley Harrison. That means you can have a tune-up fight.
Chagaev: I don’t care. My promoter is working to bring me another challenger. My part is to defeat the chosen opponent.
BoxingScene: What is now for you?
Chagaev: I need to take a rest. I have been preparing for these fights for eight months. A new coach, his methods for preparation, time for adaptation – I need to change my environment for a while. I’ll collect some power at home and then I will travel to the seaside to spend some time there as well.
BoxingScene: Thank you for your time!
Chagaev: My pleasure.
BoxingScene thanks the editorial staff of Allboxing.ru for conducting this interview. The Russian version of this article can be found here.