“Shame, like Klitschko, we don’t want to”
- From Germany, information came that Nikolai was examined there according to the same methodology that is used in the preparation of astronauts. Is he going to be the first space tourist from boxing?
“Not really.” Just after the fight with Barrett, Kolya felt pain in the long-suffering left knee, which had already been operated on twice. And in order to thoroughly know how much this injury could complicate his life in the future, they turned to such a universal technique. The results showed that a third operation is not required and our boxer will continue his career. He was given a course of injections and recommended regular medical examinations. But it will be already here in St. Petersburg. On Thursday, Kolya flew home, where, on his own, he will start training. And on November 5, his trainer, Manvel Gabrielyan, flies in, and full-fledged preparations for the next fight will begin at a suburban base in Zelenogorsk near St. Petersburg.
- When will it take place?
- Now we are coordinating the exact dates with the German promotion company Sauerland Events: January 20 or 27 of next year. While the first option is preferable.
- And who will be the next contender for the title of Nicholas?
- It has not yet been determined, and this is the main question now. We want to find a worthy boxer, not a bag, so as not to lose shape, not to upset the most prestigious HBO television channel, which is going to broadcast Valuev’s duel again. Well, and to make money on this fight is good. Based on this and choose.
- But, according to the tradition of voluntary defenses, you will not run into a very serious boxer too?
- Of course, here we need a middle ground. Once again, you do not need to take risks. But, I remember, Vladimir Klitschko after a knockout defeat from Brewster found such a shameful opponent ... (Davarrul Williamson - A.I.). Kolya will not have such a circus. It is necessary to confirm the qualifications.
- Almost every day there is new information about the unification battles between former compatriots. That, like, Klitschko has already agreed with Valuev. The next day, Valuev already agreed with Maskaev, and Lyakhovich - with Klitschko. And so on. Is there anything concrete behind these conversations?
- As for the desire of Vladimir Klitschko to fight with Nikolai, then this is pure PR. This is not the first time I've heard, and mainly from the German press, that Klitschko wants to meet with Valuev. But they have never received a formal proposal, or even a fax request from his managers. I think that Vladimir does not want to fight with us and just advertises his name. After all, it doesn’t sound very good in Germany either, and nobody needs it in America. Moreover, I know that the Klitschko team does not take concrete steps not only in our direction, but also in the direction of champions in other versions.
- In general, at least one unifying battle is real next year?
- I doubt it. The plans of many boxers for 2007 are already outlined, and basically it will be the protection of the won titles. And the unification battle is a huge preparatory work ... Look, Kolya’s fight is in January, then in May, it will be restored all summer ... And these are only our plans. And other champions have their own, and someone has already planned the fall. In my opinion, so far none of these four have a desire to meet each other. There is a standard informational game: “I'm not afraid of anyone!” - “No, I'm not afraid of anyone!”
“A guard was assigned to Gabrielian. To not run out into the ring "
- Valuev’s last fight against the American Monte Barrett can be considered a success for Kolya?
- Once he won, then surely. I really liked the first champion fight of Nicholas in the States, especially the situation, the surroundings. Honestly, I expected more indifference from our Americans to our boxer. What didn’t you like? Referee in the ring. A completely inadequate person. From the first round, Barry hid under Kolya’s armpits, and the referee punished Valuev himself, as if he had beaten the little American with his elbows and leaned on him. Charged - can not be said otherwise. At these moments, Don King bristled not only his hair, but his eyes.
- In this battle, we saw the not quite familiar Valuev, who rushed to the attack from the first round.
- It's all about the episode that happened before the fight, when weighed. Barrett glanced at Kolya and ran a hand through his throat. Both Kolya and Manvel met with such behavior for the first time and were very angry. Therefore, there was such an emotional beginning.
- And are Gabrielian’s hot matches between rounds also an echo of that episode?
“It's in Manvel's blood.” However, Kolya needs to be shaken that way. When he enters the ring, completely disconnected. But this is what! You did not see what happened in our corner during the rounds. The guard, whom I prudently put there, had to grab Gabrielyan literally by the leg so that, God forbid, would not jump into the ring.
- Many experts believe that cooperation with Gabrielian Valuev is not enough, that at least one more specialist is needed who would deal with the reaction, the boxer's movements ...
- I myself know that Manvel has flaws. But, I confess, we can’t find another decent coach. In Russia, there are simply no specialists of this level, and foreign coaches have a different mentality. We tried to work with a German from Sauerland Events. So nothing happened. He is too formal, or something. He came, said something, showed something and went for coffee time, came again, showed and went somewhere else. After all, what is the success of the collaboration between Valuev and Gabrielyan? It is informal. They are partners and friends. Manvel can do massage and lubricate a bruise. In general, does not depart from Kolya a single step. But, returning to the question, I will say that a fresh stream, of course, is needed. And we will continue the search. And about the reaction of Nicholas I want to say separately. Of course, it is slow, but to change something cardinally still will not work - due to the growth and weight of Kolya. If he disperses his whole mass, he will be unrealistic to stop. Therefore, in his arsenal there are no spectacular punches, but only solid ones. After a spectacular blow, our boxer can spin, and he will fall. This, incidentally, almost happened in the battle with Barrett.
- In that battle, Nikolai missed a few strong shots. How tangible were they for him?
“I think I felt something.” Still a living person. But there were no consequences. Immediately after the battle, Barrett was taken to the hospital. And we went to the banquet, where Kolya danced. About five went to bed, and at nine they got up, had breakfast and went to see friends. For Kolya, the latest fights are like training. For example, after a fight with Beck, we returned to the hotel and two hours later we went hunting with the Germans.
“There are concerns about working with King.”
- The organizer of the match was the American promoter Don King. Are you happy with everything?
- There were few shows. The Germans and those even more pompously furnish everything. And everything is calm there. They entered the ring - and immediately the battle, even the hymns were not sounded. But he was very impressed with the promotional tour that King arranged on the eve of the battle. Wherever they were, with whom they just didn’t meet ... Even the weigh-in was unusual, in a square in downtown Chicago. And King, at his rather considerable age, did not leave us a single step away.
- Nevertheless, the American press writes that the television rating of this battle was low ...
- This is normal. After all, we held the first battle of this level in the States. They should get used to us, and then the rating will be higher than the roof. Now I am completely satisfied that the fourteen thousandth hall was packed to capacity.
- Why, then, the January battle of Nicholas, according to preliminary information, will be held not in America, but in Germany?
- Not necessary. This King and Sauerland will decide. We don’t care. Although in Europe, of course, better. Acclimatization does not have to go through, and somehow everything is easier.
- But fights in America are more profitable financially ...
“We have not noticed this yet.”
“But there was information that Nikolai’s fee for the fight with Barrett was about a million dollars.” Previously, the numbers sounded much more modest.
- Before that, our fees were in euros ... In short, there were no great changes here. We expected and expect much more. And the million dollar fee doesn’t suit us anymore.
- This is not your first fight with the assistance of King. No problems so far?
- Everything that promised, King fulfilled. We will think further. His reputation is really mixed. And there are some concerns about further cooperation.
- At the end of the year you end the contract with "Sauerland Events". Will you renew?
- Only on more favorable conditions for us. We need to finalize some articles of the contract, which we signed two years ago in a frantic hurry, not having time to really translate. We underestimated something then, and only now it has come up.
- And which points were weak?
- I do not want the Germans to know about this from the press. We butt sometimes, we argue, but on the whole, our relations with them are businesslike and mutually beneficial.
- As far as I remember, King also offered you cooperation without intermediaries ...
“He is not alone.” Many other well-known American promoters promised multi-million dollar contracts. But we are in no hurry to change partners. Yes, the Germans artificially created a race two years ago when signing the contract. Yes, they squeezed out of our then poor situation the maximum benefit for themselves. But, if now they will meet, we will extend the contract.
- Not so long ago, Wilfried Sauerland said that he and King had not yet earned anything on Valuev ... Can you comment?
- I don’t know what Sauerland wanted to say ... I don’t want to talk about my partner that he’s lying. But I know for sure: earned, and good money. They are seasoned businessmen and will not do anything without profit.
“Kolya could fight in Russia next year”
- Now Nikolay has returned home. How will he rest?
- Relax? Tonight flies to Kiev. Something to advertise. Sunday evening flies back. In the morning we fly to Moscow. We are returning on Tuesday. On Thursday - to Kazan. From there - to Berlin. What a vacation ?! He doesn’t really see a family. And with the start of training - in general, complete isolation.
- What are you doing in Moscow?
- Serious. We are waiting for Vyacheslav Fetisov, we are invited to the Presidential Administration ... There will be a joint press conference with Sasha Povetkin, dedicated to his next fight, on December 10 in the capital.
- By the way, Valuev is called among the possible commentators of the main battle of this evening - between Oleg Maskaev and Peter Ohello.
“I doubt it.” And there were no official offers. While we are invited to this event as guests.
- And how real is the fight of Nicholas in St. Petersburg?
- It is quite real. I returned from Germany a week ago. And this question was raised there, referring precisely to a precedent with Maskaev. The Germans are smiling - it seems that they are not against it, but they are afraid that they will burn out: tickets will be poorly dispersed, the guards will let a lot of incomprehensible people. In short, they want to first see how everything goes on December 10th. But, according to my information, Maskaev has never received better offers. Therefore, I want to believe that everything will work out and that this will give an impetus to the future performance of our boxers at home. Having received an advantageous offer, Kolya could have fought in Russia at least next year.
Andrey IVANTSOV