“Four months ago, you already defeated Tony.” But then, due to the controversial decision of the judges, the result was canceled. Now, no one will doubt the victory?
“I'm sure not.” That fight was also under my dictation. But someone needed Tony and I to meet again. Someone from the big people gave him a chance. But he did not use it. The second battle proved once again that Tony is not my opponent. He did practically nothing worthwhile in this fight and missed so many punches that his face after the twelfth round resembled a pear, which had been knocked on without stopping for several hours.
- But why, after canceling the results of the first battle, you practically did not protest?
- I knew that Tony was stronger and would win him in ten out of ten battles. And since such a fight is interesting to the audience and promises a good fee, why not repeat it?
- Now there is really little doubt about your superiority. But they would not exist at all, you knock out James ...
- According to the tactics that we developed with the coaches, Tony was supposed to be knocked out in the second half of the battle. But he got a knockdown already in the second round, realized that there was nothing to lose and began to attack, hoping for one strong hit, which would decide the outcome. I had to be very careful not to risk it. Better to win on points than not to win at all, having missed only one hit.
- So, you have become the official contender for the championship title and you can become the first African boxer to own it. What do you feel about this?
- Do not believe me, I feel a lot of positive (laughs). Of course, I am glad and proud for myself and my family, who raised, I hope, the future champion.
“But have you heard that Maskaev wants to hold a unifying battle with Klitschko before meeting you?”
“I think Maskaev was just scared of me.” I hope that the WBC leadership will not give him a respite and everything will be fair. For too long I have been waiting for this moment.
- How do you see the battle with Maskaev?
- I watched Oleg’s second fight with Rakhman and am still impressed. This guy has a very strong spirit, these Russians are similar to the Africans. But I also know that Maskaev is far from young and he has many injuries. I will not reveal great secrets if I say that in order to defeat the Russian one must exhaust him round by round and be very careful in the end. Well, of course, it's good to train. If I prepare for the championship fight in the same way as for the duel with Tony, everything will be all right.
- In your career there is only one defeat - from Wladimir Klitschko, in September 2005. Thinking of a rematch?
“Not just thinking, thirsting for him.” That defeat was very disappointing. I knocked down a Ukrainian three times. However, the judges did not give the victory to me. Since then I have become much stronger. And after Maskaev, Klitschko will be my victim.