The Ukrainian top prospect light heavyweight Alexander Gvozdik (13-0, 11 KOs) believes that his future rival Craig Baker (17-1, 13 KOs) can cause him problems, but is set to victory and for the future title fight against the world unified champion Andre Ward (32-0, 16 KOs), reports BoxingTalk.
- How's everything going in preparation for your August 19 fight with Craig Baker that will air on ESPN?
- Everything is perfect. My last sparring was on Friday, I'm leaving tomorrow for Nebraska. I'm ready, I have a good attitude and that's it, same as always. - What are your thoughts on Craig Baker as a fighter? I think he's kind of like a dark horse because a lot of people underestimate this guy, but not me. I saw how he knocked out two top prospects so I'm expecting a big challenge. I think Carl Moretti or somebody else said this was the best option they could find for me at what the purse was, but I think everybody is really underestimating this guy. He's really dangerous and I'm expecting a really difficult fight.
- Do you consider him a step down in opposition from your last two opponents?
- I cannot say exactly right now. I'll be able to say after the fight. I try to prepare for each opponent the same, like it's the last fight of my life. This fight is no different for me. It would be my biggest mistake to underestimate."
- How do you feel about all of the exposure that comes with being part of a major boxing event on ESPN?
- You know I don't really understand if it's good or bad, but if more people can see my fights and it's better exposure than I think it's very good for us. This is very good for all of the boxers from Top Rank who will be fighting on ESPN. Nobody wants to pay for these exciting fights, but now everybody is going to get the chance to see them for free."
- Do you see this fight going the distance?
- I don't know I'm ready for it though. We will see, nobody knows."
- Well you've been ready for it in your last couple of fights and they didn't make it there?
- I'm supposed to be ready and if I could knock somebody out that's a bonus, it's good, but it's my job to be ready for the whole distance."
- Other than victory do you have a prediction?
- I don't like to make predictions because I don't want to make a wrong prediction. This is boxing and anything can happen, you never know what's going to happen next. I'll wait until the fight is over and then you will see everything."
- Andre Ward will be ringside doing the commentary, do you think he's going to want to fight you after a getting a close look at you?
- I hope so. I hope that I could impress him and he could pick me for his next fight. This doesn't bother too much right now, because right now my problem is Craig Baker."
- Do you think that you're going to have to become the mandatory challenger in one of the sanctioning bodies in order to get a title fight?
- You know it's beyond my control. This is the work of my promoters and manager. I feel I'm ready, I train my best and I think I'm ready for my opportunity."
- What I'm saying is I don't see the champions being in a rush to fight you unless they have to. Do you think you're going to have to become the number one contender in order to fight for the world title?
- Yes. I would like to fight the title, but I'm going to keep doing my job until it comes, this is all I can do."
- What did you think about Lomachenko's last fight?
- I think Lomachenko was great as always. He did a very good job. I think to fight against an opponent like the one he fought is difficult. Not difficult to win, but difficult to put on a show. The opponent didn't want to fight. I think he came to the ring to try to survive and get his check. I think Lomachenko did everything to make the fight interesting an exciting. People start talking like look at his defense, he got a couple of cuts and bruises. Lomo could do this fight and not take any punches, but people would fall asleep. Lomo make this fight exciting like it was supposed to be for a main event. I think we have to give credit to Lomachenko that nobody fell asleep during this fight, because it was only exciting because of him."
- Do you think Lomachenko is pound for pound number one?
- Definitely. Yes. Definitely. I don't know about 140, but at 135 I would like to see him with Mikey Garcia, I think that would be a very interesting fight. It's a very good present for fans that fight or Rigondeaux. Hopefully it finally happens and fans can see him in with real opposition because his last two fights have just been punishment. Everybody it would be a very good fight with Walters and it was like a cat playing with a mouse when they got into the ring."
- Is there anything you'd like to the fans say in closing?
- Come to support me, watch fight, I am grateful to you guys."
