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Q&A Sergei Liakhovich!
August 7, 2006
By Andre Courtemanche
Photo by Ed Mulholland
“Klitschko is telling the Russian press that I won’t fight him. Here I am in front of the world saying let’s go! Quit talking. Show the world if you really want to unify the titles.”
WBO Heavyweight Champion Sergei Liakhovich
With every passing month, WBO Heavyweight Champion Sergei Liakhovich (23-1, 14 KOs) says he’s getting more and more frustrated by the state of the heavyweight division. Since dethroning Lamon Brewster in a thrilling brawl last April, Liakhovich feels that he’s become the “forgotten” champion in his division and is seldom included in talk of meaningful and/or unification fights.
That feeling came to a head on Saturday night when HBO’s commentating team, including IBF Champion Wladimir Klitschko’s trainer/advisor Emanuel Steward, seemed to be trying to set up a “unification” between Klitschko and WBC Champ Hasim Rahman.
Liakhovich contacted ********* to make his intentions clear and give his opinion of recent developments.
Sergei, how did you feel listening to HBO set the stage for a possible Klitschko vs. Rahman unification fight and not mention you as a possible alternative?
These guys are talking like I’m not even in the picture! They’re talking about Rahman as if he’s the real champion. He was awarded his belt; I had to fight for mine. Rahman was given his belt after Vitali Klitschko retired. I’m not an easy fight for Klitschko, that’s why he won’t fight me.
Why do you feel you’d be a better opponent for Klitschko than Rahman?
I think Rahman is totally finished and he’s shown it in his recent outings. Holyfield, when he fought Rahman, was old, but everybody saw what he did with him (Holyfield defeated Rahman via TD 8 in 2002). That fight was not even close; he beat him every round. This guy is done. He’s been knocked out three times and of his five losses, one was to John Ruiz!
So then why do you think HBO is pushing a Rahman/Klitschko fight?
They’re trying to give Klitschko fights he can win. That’s why he’s not signing to fight Shannon Briggs. Briggs is more dangerous at this point than Rahman.
Don’t you think they’re just going with the promotional angle that Rahman is “defending the United States” as the last American heavyweight champion?
This is not about countries. This is about fighting. It’s about unifying the heavyweight championship of the world.
Do you have any fights being arranged for you on the horizon?
We’ve talked about a few opponents, but I’m really waiting for the other champions to step up.
You’ve said that you should be considered the “one to beat” in the division. Why?
Before the Brewster fight, people were calling Brewster the one to beat. I beat him at his own game.
Have your people reached out to Klitschko’s people about unifying?
Our promoter talked to (Klitschko manager) Shelly Finkel and Shelly said ‘no, not right now.’ He didn’t even want to hear about fighting me. They know they have to be very careful with him. Klitschko is telling the Russian press that I won’t fight him. Here I am in front of the world saying let’s go! Quit talking. Show the world if you really want to unify the titles. We could make this fight tomorrow if you truly wanted it.
I think A wlad vs sergei fight would be awsome......Funny how Laychovich doesnt mention he wants to fight Rahman or Valuev..
August 7, 2006
By Andre Courtemanche
Photo by Ed Mulholland
“Klitschko is telling the Russian press that I won’t fight him. Here I am in front of the world saying let’s go! Quit talking. Show the world if you really want to unify the titles.”
WBO Heavyweight Champion Sergei Liakhovich
With every passing month, WBO Heavyweight Champion Sergei Liakhovich (23-1, 14 KOs) says he’s getting more and more frustrated by the state of the heavyweight division. Since dethroning Lamon Brewster in a thrilling brawl last April, Liakhovich feels that he’s become the “forgotten” champion in his division and is seldom included in talk of meaningful and/or unification fights.
That feeling came to a head on Saturday night when HBO’s commentating team, including IBF Champion Wladimir Klitschko’s trainer/advisor Emanuel Steward, seemed to be trying to set up a “unification” between Klitschko and WBC Champ Hasim Rahman.
Liakhovich contacted ********* to make his intentions clear and give his opinion of recent developments.
Sergei, how did you feel listening to HBO set the stage for a possible Klitschko vs. Rahman unification fight and not mention you as a possible alternative?
These guys are talking like I’m not even in the picture! They’re talking about Rahman as if he’s the real champion. He was awarded his belt; I had to fight for mine. Rahman was given his belt after Vitali Klitschko retired. I’m not an easy fight for Klitschko, that’s why he won’t fight me.
Why do you feel you’d be a better opponent for Klitschko than Rahman?
I think Rahman is totally finished and he’s shown it in his recent outings. Holyfield, when he fought Rahman, was old, but everybody saw what he did with him (Holyfield defeated Rahman via TD 8 in 2002). That fight was not even close; he beat him every round. This guy is done. He’s been knocked out three times and of his five losses, one was to John Ruiz!
So then why do you think HBO is pushing a Rahman/Klitschko fight?
They’re trying to give Klitschko fights he can win. That’s why he’s not signing to fight Shannon Briggs. Briggs is more dangerous at this point than Rahman.
Don’t you think they’re just going with the promotional angle that Rahman is “defending the United States” as the last American heavyweight champion?
This is not about countries. This is about fighting. It’s about unifying the heavyweight championship of the world.
Do you have any fights being arranged for you on the horizon?
We’ve talked about a few opponents, but I’m really waiting for the other champions to step up.
You’ve said that you should be considered the “one to beat” in the division. Why?
Before the Brewster fight, people were calling Brewster the one to beat. I beat him at his own game.
Have your people reached out to Klitschko’s people about unifying?
Our promoter talked to (Klitschko manager) Shelly Finkel and Shelly said ‘no, not right now.’ He didn’t even want to hear about fighting me. They know they have to be very careful with him. Klitschko is telling the Russian press that I won’t fight him. Here I am in front of the world saying let’s go! Quit talking. Show the world if you really want to unify the titles. We could make this fight tomorrow if you truly wanted it.
I think A wlad vs sergei fight would be awsome......Funny how Laychovich doesnt mention he wants to fight Rahman or Valuev..
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