 Avtandil Khurtsidze |
Avtandil, on October 30th you’ll fight in Paris, France against Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam for the WBA interim middleweight title. Tell us about your preparations for this fight.
I am very well prepared for the fight. Together with my new trainer Andrey Sinepupov, we had a good training camp in Ukraine – in Crimea and Kiev, with sparring partners who are very similar to my opponent. I am ready to become the world champion.
Do you think it’s necessary to knock out N’Jikam for a victory?
I’m fighting N’Jikam at his home, so I know that judges will be ready to give him a victory. But I’m in the ring to knock him out. I’m like a tornado in a fight and I always want to win by knockout. I will use any possibility to finish the fight victoriously.
What you know about Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam?
Hassan is very tall and has a long reach. He’s very dangerous from the outside and has a very strong punch. But I’m sure that I’ll be too fast for his style. I’m a close-in fighter. I need to pursue him and put pressure constantly on him.
Because of your attacking style, you are loved by fans of boxing. Tell us if it’s your own unique style or if you copied your style from a role model.
No, it’s is my style. My ring name is “The Tornado.” I always destroy all who enter the ring against me.
You began your career in the USA. Why did you decide to leave?
Yes, I began my career in the USA. It was great time fighting before the American boxing fans, but then I was betrayed and treated unfairly in a fight against Tony Marshall. I didn’t deserve it. It left me so concerned that I was compelled to leave the USA and to begin working in Ukraine where I’ve had new stimulus for development of my career.
You want to return to an American ring?
Yes, if my promoters agree I’m ready to come back to America. I know that in the USA they remember me.
Currently the middleweight division has many boxing superstars: Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez, Felix Sturm, Dmitry Pirog, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. With whom do you want to box?
All are very strong boxers. I’m ready to fight against any of them. Let them call my promoter and we’ll make the big fight.
Many fans would like to see you fight Dmitry Pirog, who in magnificent style knocked out Daniel Jacobs. What do you think about it?
Yes, I saw this fight. Dmitry has proved to be very good boxer. It impressed me. When I become the world champion, I want to fight him. It would be earthshaking.
There’s a log jam in the WBA with super champion Felix Sturm, regular champion Gennady Golovkin and the vacant interim title you will fight N’Jikam for. If you win, against whom do you want to fight? Golovkin or Sturm?
I would like to fight against Felix Sturm. He’s a great champion, great fighter. I want a big fight against him. I know that now I’m ready for the big fights.
Golovkin To Get Bumped
