By Yuri Tarantin (“Allboxing.ru”) and Alexey Sukachev
WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko took some time off from his busy working schedule to sit down with Allboxing’s Yuri Tarantin and to answer his questions in an exclusive interview with the Russian portal. Here are the most interesting pieces from the talk.
Yuri Tarantin: Vitali, you have said in one of your recent interviews that you wanted to fight three times in 2011. Can you name any opponents?
Vitali Klitschko: Haye. He has a belt which we are interested in – that’s why. I’m ready to immediately discuss any conditions regarding our possible fight. I know that he is interested in financial part of the deal more than anything else. Great! He is a world champion and so am I; so it should be fifty-fifty in terms of our fees. Speaking about other opponents, it’s to be noted that I have an obligatory challenge ahead. Will it be (Ray) Austin, or (Odlanier) Solis, or both of them at the same time (smiles) – I don’t care whom to box with. I’m interested in a fight against Valuev. Not only am I excited about this possibility but the same can be said about the majority of boxing fans worldwide. I wish Nikolay will resolve his health issues, and as soon as he is back into a pleasant spirit and in good shape, I shall be here for any negotiations. I have an enormous desire to make a fight with him.
Yuri Tarantin: Let’s pretend The Golden Fish is yours, and you have three wishes to realize instantly. How many of them will be related to your sportive achievements?
Vitali Klitschko: Nothing can be done by chance, and golden fishes exist only in story books – that’s for sure. All of my achievements – both in sports and in politics – are due to a hard daily work and my commitment. For example, in politics I don’t like the existing Ukrainian coordinate system which our political institutes are attached to. That’s why I develop a new party with a help of like-minded persons. It’ll be called the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (UDAR which means “PUNCH” in Russian).
Yuri Tarantin: Experts often imagine a hypothetical all-family affair between you and your brother. Many think you will defeat him if you are to be placed in the same ring. However, The Ring belt is his, not yours. Does this bother you or not? Do you think it’s a valuable title?
Vitali Klitschko: I agree with those who say that Wladimir is better than me. I’m proud to be a brother of such an exemplar man and a successful sportsman. By the way, I have the only belt around my waist, and Wladimir has three of them. That speaks for itself. As for The Ring title, everyone, who is involved into the Sweet Science, agrees that this particular belt is of a great importance and that it’s highly valuable and with a great authority. Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones Jr., Wladimir… They all possessed this belt in the past (and the present). But I want to correct you (smiles). I have the same belt. I received one for my win over Corrie Sanders six years ago.
Yuri Tarantin: What do you like most: recognition and love of the fans or titles and fees?
Vitali Klitschko: One is a natural following of the other. The final goal is to become the first ever and the best ever, to achieve something no one has ever achieved before. So the fee isn’t a goal but merely it’s just a result of my hard work in the ring. Earning can’t be a motivation for me. Sports cannot be imagined without publicity. It’s all the same in a theatre: if you are a good actor, spectators will follow your future performances. And we are extremely glad to feel a response from our fans, from their hearts.
Yuri Tarantin: There are admirers (“Klitschkophils”) and haters (“Klitschkophobs”) of yours all over the world but especially across Russian-speaking boxing society (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and others). Are you familiar with such terms as those mentioned above?
Vitali Klitschko: “Klitschkophob”?... Well, it’s for the first time I hear such a word. Is it about those boxers who are afraid to fight me? (Smiles).
Yuri Tarantin: Are you bothered with criticism?
Vitali Klitschko: I’m perceptive for advices but I use to “filter” the criticism. Dogs are barking but they won’t bite you. Usually, it’s just an attempt from weak opponents and their camps to rend the air a bit.
Yuri Tarantin: Haye vs. Harrison fight was very dreadful. Many criticized both participants with a sudden fury; some went as far as to accuse them of fraud and collusion to fix the result. Has this point of view its right for existence?
Vitali Klitschko: I haven’t been there in person to say such words. But, indeed, it looked more like a swindle, and not a real fight. To exonerate himself in eyes of world boxing community Haye should stand up for the challenge, overcome his horrible fears and fight me or my brother in the ring.
Yuri Tarantin: By the way, have you ever come across fixed fights in professional boxing or is it just a fable of journalists and fans?
Vitali Klitschko: You know, if there’s a smoke then something is definitely burning. Journalists write about bribery and fraud in boxing from time to time. On the other hand, we haven’t seen any proofs as far as I know. There are thoughts but there are no proofs.
Yuri Tarantin: What was your most difficult fight?
Vitali Klitschko: One of the hardest was against Lennox Lewis.
Yuri Tarantin: American fans and TV persons often accuse you of being boring in the fight. They say that your style of boxing is hard to watch.
Vitali Klitschko: This “boring style” helped me to win the most prestigious title and to defend it several times against superior opposition. That speaks for itself. I’m ok with that.
Yuri Tarantin: You have only three wins on points, while the rest was got by stoppages. However, two of your last three fights ended in decisions. Isn’t it that you become to age visibly or not?
Vitali Klitschko: It has nothing to do with my age. Look at Shannon (Briggs). He tried so hard to become a champion that he has even risked his health against me. Our opponents are too capable to be taken for granted
Yuri Tarantin: Lennox Lewis said that the only deserving opponent for Klitschko brothers is David Haye…
Vitali Klitschko: We are very tired of all these chatters. How long, eh? We shall see if he is a deserving opponent or not when he enters the ring against me or Wladimir. Right now, it’s just an idle talk.
Yuri Tarantin: Which movie made you cry?
Vitali Klitschko: “Titanic” wasn’t one that I've cried about (smiles).
Yuri Tarantin: When was the last time that you hit the ceiling?
Vitali Klitschko: It’s almost impossible to tick me off.
Yuri Tarantin: Thanks greatly for your interview
Vitali Klitschko: My pleasure!