 Sergey Fedchenko |
– Sergey, today you are considered to be on of the most promising Ukrainian boxers. But when you fully realized your desire to devote your life to the sport and has boxing lived up to your expectations?
– Well, strictly speaking I’ll be able to speculate without bias about expectations as well as to make any conclusions only after I have become champion of the world. And now I just do my best to bring this day closer as soon as possible. And you know what – during all years that I spent in boxing I never felt any regret concerning my choice. I’ll tell you more: I am 100% satisfied with my life – it is not easy to find a man for whom «work» and «labor of love» are synonyms. When I was in high school I then already can’t imagine my future without boxing. And now my task is to prove that boxing needs me not less than I need it.
- Not long ago Klitschko brothers become co-promoters in the company that you represent. What kind of changes this fact has brought – positive or negative?
– You are right – not more than half a year has passed since the merger of companies and establishment of «Ê2 East Promotions». Not so much time, however, we do not live in era of socialist «five-year plans» so even now we are proud of our first achievements. Cooperation between my promoter Vadim Bukhkalov and Klitschko brothers benefits immensely not only to the company’s boxers but to the general development of Ukrainian professional boxing too. Fighters get chances to take part in title bouts and to challenge well-known boxers as well as to box abroad in undercards of Wladimir Klitschko fights. And it is of extreme importance for any sportsman to show his level because analysts, experts and world-known promoters attend such events. Yuri Nuzhnenko, my clubmate, within this half a year managed not only to win champion’s title but to defend it too. And where? In Kyiv! With Ukrainian audience out front! That was the first fight in Ukraine of such high level. And remember – not long ago just live broadcasting of such bouts was sort of luxury.
- Competent job of the team is undoubtedly very important factor. But boxer himself always remains the anchor of the team. What do you think, is there any formula of an ideal boxer?
– What I am sure of is that a true fighter has to combine in him concordantly three most important qualities: talent, diligence and, surely, character. Fighter devoid of one of those features turns from «a good boxer» into «just a boxer». I wouldn’t insist on this is the formula we are talking about; however, I believe that many boxing buffs-connoisseurs will agree. And Kostya Tszyu is the most vivid example of such an ideal boxer.
- By the way Kostya Tszyu now after he has finished his career feels quite comfortable in business. In this respect is he a shining example for you too?
– Well, I think I’ll be able to answer this question in 15 years at the earliest… At the moment I don’t think about my future after boxing on principle. Just I do not have the right to do it now before I haven’t reached my goal.
- I know that you are university graduate of the historical department. Have you ever thought about working on specialty?
– Why not?.. Even now I use knowledge which I obtained in the university for my work. I’ll specify: I am historian whose specialty is ancient history and the Middle Ages; and by the way boxing appeared at that time. So I can tell you that jokes and stories about boxers being dim-witted have no ground at all.
- Have you met such daredevils who joked with you like this?
– Such are the ways of the people because this is just a trite generally acknowledged cliché which is constantly repeated by people not because they really think so but just because there is such a habit. This is just the same as champagne on New Year's Eve – everyone drinks it even those who in everyday life prefer vodka or brandy. Of course, no one tells such things to my face, though, I will never prove wrongness of such opinion with the help of my fists. And I lost the need to prove anything with the help of fighting after I passed through a phase.
- Does it mean that you were a pugnacious boy then?
– No, I would not say so – not me, just times, circumstances and environment were different. As a matter of fact I grew up in a problem district. And there street fights were a common occurrence. I had to protect girls from hoodlums or from drug addicts who were even worse. But in such cases usually a warning from my side was enough. Everyone in the district knew that I was a boxer and that I do not waste my time. I never took part in group fights on principle and tried to persuade guys that it is stupid to risk health and life for nothing.
- What about years of studentship?
– I never provoked conflicts. I went to university after finishing sports boarding school. Everyone knew who I was and respected me (smiles). Sometimes during the holidays I visited my friends who lived at the hostel. And immediately everyone at the dormitory knew that is it better not to go to the 4th floor – because boxers celebrated there.
- What kind of books do you prefer?
– I like reading, classical literature especially – Dostoyevsky, Turgenev, Bulgakov. Once in my youth while training at the gym I even read out extracts from Bulgakov’s short story «Morphine». And my friends commented: «Oh, what a shock! Does he speak about it so directly?» Recently I read Karamurza’s «Manipulation by conscience». It is a very serious book that shows that it is possible to delude not only a single man or a small group of people but whole nations as well. And those people are just sure that their dreams really come true…
- Well, since you yourself have touched this topic so share your dreams with us.
– I do not think that I will surprise anyone if I say that I want to succeed in boxing and to become undisputed world champion. And it would be impossible without support from my family – my dearly loved wife and my daughter. They always have to be near me and I’ll do my best to ensure that they are well provided for. I’ll do everything necessary for that – on the ring and out of it.
K2 East hits Kharkov!
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