Russian Murat Gassiyev says that he understands the importance of the upcoming finale of the World Boxing Super Series with the Ukrainian Alexander Usyk, but approaches this fight as well as the rest. The fight between the IBF and WBA cruiserweight champion Gassiev and the WBO and WBC titlist Usyk is scheduled for July 21 in Moscow.
- Murat, you have the most important battle in your career ahead of you. Tell us about your training.
- Preparation is going as usual, everything is well. Now we have sparring and work on tactics. All my preparations, as always, are in Big Bear, California, and I will fly to Russia about a week before the battle. I have no problems with acclimatization.
- Do you realize what event you are going to take part in? Do you understand all its significance?
- I am very excited about the upcoming event, I am fully aware of its importance and I hope that the fight will turn into a big event and will remain in the history of boxing.
- Do you expect the home support?
- I hope very much that the Olympic will be at full capacity. Fighting before the full arena is much more pleasant. In this case, it does not even matter where you are performing and whom the audience supports. The atmosphere of the battle is important and a crowded arena is necessary.
- You fought Denis Lebedev, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, Yunier Dortikos. Compared to these fights, do you experience extra pressure?
- Emotionally, I approach this fight, as well as any other. I understand the importance of the upcoming fight, understand the responsibility and prepare with all my might. And the fact is for me it is all or nothing. But all my fights from 2016 have such a status and a loss in any of them would throw me back. The difference is only in the number of belts and the fact that it is just one step to the dream.
- Your semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series was in Sochi. Now there will be the finale in Moscow. How pleasant is it that Russia hosts the fights of such a high level?
- Of course I am pleased that in Russia they began to stage boxing matches of the highest level. I hope that we will become European leaders in boxing, ahead of Germany and England. At least, all conditions for this are there.
- Now the focus is on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, in particular the phenomenal performance of the national team at this tournament. Were you surprised by the result?
- Of course I follow the World Cup, I support our guys. Even before the match with the Spaniards, I believed in their victory, because I know that if you try hard, then nothing is impossible.
- Footballer Alan Dzagoev previously visited your fight with Lebedev and now publicly expressed his words of support and told about his intention to come to this fight with his family and friends.
- I heard that many of our players are going at arena to cheer me up. It only makes me happy, I will try not to disappoint them.
