Kovalev's Recent Interview

Extracts from Kovalev interview:


After the victory over Cornelius White you said, "Hopkins, you are next!

-"I wanted to fight Hopkins but he keeped quiet and didnt answered our requests, so I decided to fight Cleverly. If i had waited, it could have been possible, that i would miss both fights with Hopkins and Cleverly. Of course to fight Hopkins is more interesting for me, he is a living legend and I want to learn how to box against smart and dirty fighter..."

In your opinion, who is the most entertaining?

-"I dont like heavyweight, its boring... From the former Soviet Union coutries I would like to point out Gennady Golovkin. He is like an unstoppable tank and hits really hard..."

You have 215 amateur fights

-Yes, but it wasnt like now in pros, yes I scored many TKOs, but I had only 4 wins by KO. I just entered the ring and destroyed my opponents, but then I started to work differently and after my another win, trainer said "Did you understand how you won? You started to box! You started to gain points!"

How you came to USA

-Its was my friend's idea. Saw him once, and he said: "Come, come!". I said to him: "I ​​dont want, its not interesting for me." I believed that pro boxing is just about ripping heads off. In fact, it is really so. However, I decided to take a chance. The last straw was the defeat in Kaliningrad, again in the final, and, of course, against a local fighter. Also, I wasnt invited in any tournaments. Even in the Russian championship. It wanted to prove them wrong. And I went to the U.S., country, I has always dreamed to visit. I went from one gym to another. I sparred with champions and looked good. Then I made ​​my debut. For three years I was fighting only for the future. I wasnt paid. I only got money from the last three fights.

Why?

- Because I didnt have any promoter. And finally i was noticed. I signed a contract with Main Events. I won Thompson , Campillo and White. The fight with Cleverly will broadcast on HBO. This is a completely different level. And the payday will of course be more serious. Now, to be honest, money is still missing. Many thanks to my manager Egis Klimas. For three years he provided me accommodation, food. Gave pocket money. Bought flights to Russia and even in Thailand. In time, I will give him everything back.

How much did you get from White fight?

10 thousand dollars. After paying all taxes and remained 4000.

And how much you will get for fighting Cleverly?

The amount was announced. But i was asked not to say it. But this time, more than "10 000 bucks, haha" (c) translated by google and me
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Source: ********allboxing.ru/archives/2013-06-23_19_45.html

 

Kovalev also said, that he didnt have any success in amateur boxing, because its corrupt as ****.