Exclusive Interview with Timor Ibragimov June 16th

picture (c) hbo.com

Just one week before his mega fight with Calvin Brock (28-0), Timur Ibragimov (21-0), courtesy of promoter Mr. Boris Greenberg, took the time to talk with mma365 about his upcoming bout. This fight can reshape the heavyweight division in a big way, and the winner will certainly gain a ton. For Brock, it would probably mean a title shot, for Timur, it would mean a boost up the ranks. Here is what Timur had to say.

mma365: How are you feeling, after the weeks of preperation and training for the fight?
Timur Ibragimov: Oh, I feel great. I feel very good, I'm ready for the fight.

mma365: We talked to Oleg Maskaev a few days ago, and he said that weight training helps a boxer alot, what are your thoughts on weight training for boxing?
Timur Ibragimov: Yes of course, it helps us alot, but we don't do it when we are close to a fight, we do it before, when we just start preparing for the fight, but when you are close to a fight, we have to rest so we come in strong.

mma365: What do you think will be most important for this fight, staminia, power, or a combination of both?
Timur Ibragimov: I think everything together, yes of course. You have to be strong & powerful, if your skill are good, good and fast hands, all these things are needed to be on top.

mma365: Have you watched Brock's fights? What did you think of his performance in his previous fights?
Timur Ibragimov: He's not a bad fighter, he throws well in combination, but I think he is slow.

mma365: His biggest fight so far was probably against Jameel McCline. McCline is a big guy, but, he is not known as a knockout artist. Brock was knocked down in that fight. The next three fights Brock did not fight any top opposition, do you think that McCline exposed Brock's chin?
Timur Ibragimov: I don't know, I don't know because it can happen to anybody. I don't know, I don't care about McCline, I don't care about Brock, I just know that I'm ready to fight...I know one thing I will win this fight!

mma365: Who do you think has been your toughest opponent to date, and would you say that Brock is your biggest obstacle so far in your career?
Timur Ibragimov: Oh, yes he is, for now, from all my opponents he is the best one.

mma365: What do you think of the new generation of heavyweights coming out of Eastern Europe, such as Boytsov, Povetkin & Chagaev?
Timur Ibragimov: Yes, they are very good, when I was in the amateurs, I knew Chagaev very well because we were in the same team, we lived together for like four or five years, we trained together. Chagaev was like a brother, I know him very well, they all have a very big future.

mma365: Yes, I think so as well, well good luck in your fight against Brock, thank you very much.
Timur Ibragimov: Thank you.