Your nickname is Jackal. Why?
Because a jackal is such a small animal, but it is very malicious. Look at me on December 9th and you will understand why.
Why didn’t you fight Lomachenko before? Manager of the Ukrainian Egis Klimas and Bob Arum stated that you wanted too much money. It's true?
They all talk about how long it took to agree on this fight. But honestly, only this time we first began real negotiations. And I signed my part of the contract instantly.
Lomachenko spoke rudely about you. Once he even called you a coward and trash talker. Is it annoying?
No, not at all. And the US press does not talk about it. They make out of me a bad guy here. And I respect Lomachenko. He is a great fighter. I respect the whole Ukrainian people. But the day of the fight I will force him to answer for calling me bad things.
But what about all these rough posts in social networks and funny pictures from Lomachenko, Bob and Egis?
I just have to do it. Here in the US, I do not get any support from the mainstream media at all. And even there is no support from the Spanish boxing media. Therefore, I have to use all the possibilities from my personal arsenal to make this fight happen. And, thank God, new media support me. Otherwise, this battle would never have happened.
What did you mean when you said that Bob Arum is trying to protect Lomachenko from you?
So this is a fact. If I did not put pressure on Lomachenko, did not demand this fight and did not agree to climb two divisions higher, they would never have met with me. And this despite rumors that they offered me a fight at featherweight?
In the super bantamweight and featherweight divisions there are enough unbeaten boxers, champions. Why do not you fight them?
They do not want to fight me - they run away and force me to climb weight categories in search of good opponents. All these guys you're talking about are just a bunch of cowards who are just afraid of me.
Andre Ward quit, Alvarez and Golovkin - a draw. Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux is the battle for No. 1-2 P4P?
I've never paid attention to the P4P rating. They are very much manipulated for the benefit of promoters and boxers who earn money on large networkers. When my fans find out that I've done my best and left everything in the ring against Lomachenko, I'll be happy.
Fight with Lomachenko or with Donaire: which one is the most difficult and significant in your career?
My next fight is always the most difficult and important. But there is no doubt that Lomachenko is a very special boxer. I would even say that he is the biggest challenge in my career. 4 years ago, a very important fight was against Nonito. Now - against Lomachenko. On December 9, the world will see what I can do.
And what strengths of Lomachenko are the most dangerous for you?
Lomachenko is a special boxer. One of the best boxers in the world right now, and you cannot doubt it. But the only thing that bothers me in this fight is the referee and the judges. We have repeatedly seen in their performance what just scared the boxers. Especially if someone fights in the bout organized by foreign promoters.