Golovkin interview translated
*Shoutout to reddit user BakedOnions
source: http://vesti.kz/profi/215666/
Gennady Golovkin, Kazakhstan’s boxing icon, is a rare guest back home. Even more scarce are the journalist who get a chance to sit down with Gennady and have a close eye-to-eye. In this exclusive interview, provided by Tengrinews.kz и Vesti.kz , Gennady tells us about the inaccurate image which journalists and boxing fans have developed about him, about his rapport with Saul Alvarez, his relationship with his promoter, and why he doesn’t enjoy being interviewed.
Gennady, during a press conference you were asked about Dominc Wade, designated by the IBF to be your next opponent. You answered that you don’t know who they’re talking about. Did you really not know, or did you misunderstand the journalist’s question, or is it that the IBF statements are false?
I can’t say if that’s true or not true. I don’t have access to that information. If someone calls and tells me “Gennady, this is IBF, we changed your contender”……. This isn’t an opponent, it’s just a contender. There is a rating system. Who is the first in that rating… remind me… John? Johnson?
Tureano Johnson
Yes, him. I heard he got an injury. I don’t know who will be next. Maybe it will be this kid you’re talking about.
Also, judging from what was said at the press-conference, you’ve not had any negotiations with Korobov either? Because he declared that he is ready to have a fight.
He agreed? Can you even imagine the world of boxing? How many people claim to be ready.
You have to understand, the majority of information that we get here about you comes from foreign press. It is difficult to ascertain what is really going on with you.
I’m happy to hear that Matvej Korobov is active and that he’s ready to box. I’m happy for him, as I know him personally. Cool cat, good athlete. I’m happy that he’s active as he’s had both wins and loses.
On a number of occasions you’ve voiced your goal for the year: to fight Saul Alvarez. We’d like to discuss this further, particularly the claims that he’s ducking you, and that his team is making all kinds of excuses, demanding extravagant concessions. What are you willing to give up to have this fight? Catch weight? Purse? Location? Are you willing to fight him in Mexico? How long will you keep waiting if Alvarez continues to duck you?
I don’t think those are his terms, or his thoughts for that matter. These are things his management and promotion team throw out there. It’s how they PR their fighter, and it’s how they PR their company. It’s how they want to show people how cool they are. If this fight happens, and this fight will happen! This is a PR move, hell, they can even say that I’ll fight him for free, it’s all just PR.
So your position in this situation is?
In the affirmative. I will box. If they truly want to box, we will box, because I am ready.
Are you willing to drop down to 155?
What weight are you talking about?
The weight of 155 pounds, which Saul’s team says are one of the conditions of them fighting you.
The information at your disposal is nothing but drama, PR bull**** put on by his promoters.
So you’re saying the fight will only happen at 160 pounds?
Yes. There are rules.
What kind of relationship do you have with Alvarez? He says that your friendship will come to an end when you meet together in the ring. Are you friends with him?
We have a normal relationship. You know, people skills. Of course when we’ll be in the ring we’ll be professional athletes. We won’t be enemies, just professional fighters.
Would like to hear your comment regarding the politics of WBC. It was mentioned more than once that they like to market their favorite fighters, like Alvarez for instance, allowing him to have title defenses or delay his title fight (with you). Is there a reason to oppose their decisions?
Those who like to criticize are usually ill-informed. Everything is within the borders of what is allowed. Everything is within the legal framework.
So nothing serious is happening?
Yes. The critics don’t know anything. Those people, who aren’t aware of what’s involved, the people involved, the situation, they just spew out negative commentary, which gets gobbled up and adds colour to the whole thing.
How are we supposed to know what constitutes drama? As we said, we have very little first hand information about you here in Kazakhstan.
Yes, I’ll agree.
And meetings with Gennady Golovkin are very rare
For sure
And during your press conferences you certainly say a lot…
Yep
With reserve….
Let me explain. Your question: “one blogger saw something somewhere heard someone say something, so like about maybe kinda. I appreciate specific questions about the business at hand. I appreciate professionalism. Why aren’t there such interviews? Why bother talking about what kind of cartoons I watched as a child.. that doesn’t interest me. I represent professional boxing. Yes, I’m a citizen of Kazakhstan, yes I have a personal life. My interest with social media is only with regards to professional boxing. Please ask specific questions. Your prep is lacking. Boxing is a very straight forward idea, you don’t have to muddle it with talk of business and all that other stuff.
Hey, if there were five other Golovkins in Khazakstan, maybe you’d be getting different questions…
So I’m telling you, prepare with boxing specific questions. Boxing is so simple… three punches: straight, hook, uppercut. The questions have to be specific and well understood.
Okay, a boxing question; maybe you can dispel for us a myth. Did Andre Ward really offer you a fight?
I don’t even want to talk about this guy. Not gonna say anything. ..
It’s no secret that quality promotion in professional boxing is important. Your fans have often criticized your choice in opponents. Have you had any offers to change promoter?
Change promoter?
Yes
I have my own promotion.
They say you should get rid of Tom Loffler
Listen to me. I have my own promotion. Change? To who? Top Rank? Golden Boy? They’re no better.
K2?
Da hell does K2 have to do with it
Doesn’t Tom Loffler work for K2?
He’s licensed under K2… but has no relationship with the Klitchko brothers. I have no affiliations with them at all. He’s licensed, sure, but he works for me.
And you don’t want to change him?
As a specialist?
Yes
You have to understand, if I do that I won’t be true to myself. This person is part of my team… he’s not just a promoter.. people don’t understand what they’re talking about.
Understood
I’ll elaborate. In the boxing world I have a slightly different position, a different situation than the rest. Not, how I should say, favorable. It’s difficult for me to negotiate fights with people. More difficult to organize the event, because I’m in this position. There are good people , who understand this differently, and it’s not because they have a different promoter.
Is it because you’re not an American?
No, because this is professional boxing. What does being an American have to do with it? Name one American boxer… other than Floyd.
I wanted to say… Floyd.
You have to understand, Floyd is a national project! Like, name me another American fighter.
Are you saying Andre Ward isn’t an American?
…………..Ward… You have to understand, it’s more difficult for me.
American news media outlets criticize Gennady Golovkin for a lack of showmanship outside the ring: no wild claims, no fights, no drama. Are you not interested in that? Are you satisfied with only putting on a good show in the ring?
It’s enough for me.
Maybe it would help your PR?
The things that people say about me is enough.