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GOTZEV SPEAKS ON MASKAEV-PETER, BLASTS VITALI KLITSCHKO
By G. Leon
GL: Can you tell us how Samuel is looking weeks removed from the biggest fight of his life? "I can can describe it in one word, determined. Basically he's grinding it out here in camp and he's doing what he's supposed to do. We're just counting down the days of camp right now and we're anxious to get in the ring so Samuel can do what he has to do."
GL: Maskaev is also training in the Poconos have there been any clashes between the two camps?
Ivaylo Gotzev: "Not at all, they're being good citizens."
GL: Would you say this is the sharpest you've seen Samuel going into a fight?
IG: "He's as sharps as I've seen him and what people can expect from him is a whole different game plan. He's got Maksaev in front of him and I think he's going to shine. Style wise this is a match made in heaven and there's going to be a furious fight at Madison Square Garden on October 6."
GL: Did Vitali Klitschko's pullout against McCline surprise you?
IG: "No. It was the fifth consecutive time. That's why people could not understand how they were going to let him fight for the title before Samuel. The Klitschko's have proven one thing, they're about the Klitschko's and nobody else. They claim an injury and I don't think it was an excuse for him to quit in the Chris Byrd, he's got a history of quitting and if the WBC wants to continue to make him their Champion Emeritus they're going to have a big chip on their shoulder. This man needs to decide if he wants to box or not."
GL: So if Samuel becomes the champ on October 6...
IG: (cutting in) "If Samuel becomes the champion there's going to be some pretty steep stipulations before we consider this guy. We don't believe him and his ability to perform in the ring. He's proven himself as a fighter and he makes for great fights, but what he's proven himself for more than anything is that he backs out of fights, for medical reasons or whatever."
GL: If Vitali no longer becomes an option, do you shift your focus to Wladimir Klitschko?
IG: "Absolutely. We would have loved to beat up the big brother first because that would make for a mega rematch with Wladimir. We've got a lot of work to do because our goal is to establish one heavyweight champion. We're not going to sit back when Samuel wins his title. We're going to keep him active and we're going to keep him touring around the world. I can promise everyone one thing, Samuel will not be stuck waiting for HBO or SHowtime. We're going to take him out there and promote him around the world. Wherever there is the need for a heavyweight championship fight, there's going to be one. He's going to be internationally recognized and world renowned once he wins the title."
GL: Are you expecting Samuel to stop Maskaev?
IG: "I can't see this fight going any other way. This is a clash of two big punchers and I just believe in our guy. Maskaev can punch and I'm sure his guys believe in him but this is going to be a great match-up between two big punchers, this is going to be barnburner and it's definitely going to be the most exciting heavyweight fight of the year."
GL: What's up with Sergei?
IG: "He's healthy and he's ready. We're basically waiting for our promoter to step up to the plate and do the right thing. There's a lot of issues that need to be cleared with the WBA, but we're ready and available to fight Valuev for the vacant title and we can also go straight to Chagaev."
By G. Leon
GL: Can you tell us how Samuel is looking weeks removed from the biggest fight of his life? "I can can describe it in one word, determined. Basically he's grinding it out here in camp and he's doing what he's supposed to do. We're just counting down the days of camp right now and we're anxious to get in the ring so Samuel can do what he has to do."
GL: Maskaev is also training in the Poconos have there been any clashes between the two camps?
Ivaylo Gotzev: "Not at all, they're being good citizens."
GL: Would you say this is the sharpest you've seen Samuel going into a fight?
IG: "He's as sharps as I've seen him and what people can expect from him is a whole different game plan. He's got Maksaev in front of him and I think he's going to shine. Style wise this is a match made in heaven and there's going to be a furious fight at Madison Square Garden on October 6."
GL: Did Vitali Klitschko's pullout against McCline surprise you?
IG: "No. It was the fifth consecutive time. That's why people could not understand how they were going to let him fight for the title before Samuel. The Klitschko's have proven one thing, they're about the Klitschko's and nobody else. They claim an injury and I don't think it was an excuse for him to quit in the Chris Byrd, he's got a history of quitting and if the WBC wants to continue to make him their Champion Emeritus they're going to have a big chip on their shoulder. This man needs to decide if he wants to box or not."
GL: So if Samuel becomes the champ on October 6...
IG: (cutting in) "If Samuel becomes the champion there's going to be some pretty steep stipulations before we consider this guy. We don't believe him and his ability to perform in the ring. He's proven himself as a fighter and he makes for great fights, but what he's proven himself for more than anything is that he backs out of fights, for medical reasons or whatever."
GL: If Vitali no longer becomes an option, do you shift your focus to Wladimir Klitschko?
IG: "Absolutely. We would have loved to beat up the big brother first because that would make for a mega rematch with Wladimir. We've got a lot of work to do because our goal is to establish one heavyweight champion. We're not going to sit back when Samuel wins his title. We're going to keep him active and we're going to keep him touring around the world. I can promise everyone one thing, Samuel will not be stuck waiting for HBO or SHowtime. We're going to take him out there and promote him around the world. Wherever there is the need for a heavyweight championship fight, there's going to be one. He's going to be internationally recognized and world renowned once he wins the title."
GL: Are you expecting Samuel to stop Maskaev?
IG: "I can't see this fight going any other way. This is a clash of two big punchers and I just believe in our guy. Maskaev can punch and I'm sure his guys believe in him but this is going to be a great match-up between two big punchers, this is going to be barnburner and it's definitely going to be the most exciting heavyweight fight of the year."
GL: What's up with Sergei?
IG: "He's healthy and he's ready. We're basically waiting for our promoter to step up to the plate and do the right thing. There's a lot of issues that need to be cleared with the WBA, but we're ready and available to fight Valuev for the vacant title and we can also go straight to Chagaev."
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