2022 is enriched with boxing events with the participation of Russian athletes. The most titled stars of the world want to enter the ring with Russian boxers. In May, at this time, the first number in the ranking, regardless of weight categories, the highest paid boxer in the world, the absolute world champion of the second Mexican middleweight Saul Alvarez went to fight with the WBA champion ( Great) Dmitry Bivol.
And … lost in all respects for the Russian.
On December 10, in the United States, a fight is scheduled with the participation of David Avanesyan with the former undisputed world champion of the first middleweights, and now holder of the WBO welterweight belt, American Terence Crawford.
Let’s move on to popular ratings regardless of weight classes on reputable boxing portals. Alvarez is #1 on BoxRec, #5 on ESPN and The Ring. Crawford tops ESPN’s P4P chart, is #4 on BoxRec and #3 on The Ring. Remarkably, Crawford is the top American boxer in these rankings.
By the way, Bivol, like another Russian WBC and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, is in the top 10 rankings regardless of weight classes.
December 10 and Avanesyan will finally have a chance to win the championship belt in one of the most prestigious divisions. Granted, it may seem to many that Crawford simply picked Avanesyan to fight some sort of middle ground fight to avoid downtime and David just doesn’t stand a chance. Crawford’s side are so confident in their abilities that they haven’t even saved the option of a rematch for willing defense.
But the main thing in this situation is that Avanesyan himself believes in his chances. The Russian boxer, who previously held the WBA regular belt, decided to give up the European title in order to meet Crawford. And Avanesyan’s sixth defense of the EBU belt was scheduled for November 19 in London…
“” reached out to Avanesyan and asked how he was going to beat Terence Crawford, who has 38 wins in 38 fights in the professional ring.
“IF FINANCE HAD COME TO THE FORE, THERE WAS NO BATTLE WITH CRAWFORD”
– I arrived (in England) and generally prepared for the upcoming defense of the EBU belt on November 19, – Avanesyan started a conversation with . “They called me and told me that Crawford and his team had come to see us. Immediately accepted.
– Is it so simple? A call for interest and that’s it?
“Not everything was like that. Initially, they contacted my manager, described the situation – the Crawford team will defend the WBO, and they consider me. Then I accepted. And I didn’t think about it at all – you can’t refuse such fights. This is a good opportunity to prove yourself and find out how long you can defend the European title. We have to move forward.
– Did the financial moment of the story with the fight with Crawford come to the fore?
– I did, but certainly not in the foreground. If the financial question came to the fore, there would be no fight.
– So you have good requests?
— (Smiles). It’s not that I have good requests, it’s their offer. We were told, “This offer is the maximum. The next decision is yours.”
– In general, there were no negotiations or exchanges, in fact. The Crawford team made an offer, and you could take it or not.
– Exactly.
Didn’t you say “Wow, Crawford is putting out an offer”?
– Just today I was jogging and remembered how I was invited to the studio after the fight with Kelly. And there was this question: “But if tomorrow Crawford, Spence, Ugas or Porter comes down with a fight proposal, won’t your head be spinning?” Not! Why does she have to go around? I’m glad I got the big fight I deserved.
– After the announcement of the fight with the American, didn’t they treat you differently in your room?
“They always treated me well in the room. And after the fight with Shane Mosley (in 2016), and after winning the EBU belt. Here in England people stop and get out of cars for a photo, someone just shouts, ‘Good luck, champ’.
– How do people in the UK treat Russian boxer David Avanesyan? Or do they not perceive you as a Russian boxer?
– Why? Everyone knows I’m a Russian boxer! They can only perceive me as a Russian boxer. And so we have normal communication here. Yes, my circle of friends, yes, the same coach… You see, there is propaganda. And when they see something wrong, I correct them. They don’t really argue. What’s the use of arguing?
– I remember our post-fight interview in London with Finn Oskari Metz, which ended with your first-round win. You said you weren’t allowed to speak Russian…
– On the media (during media activities) – yes. There was no mention of a flag. And now, I’m talking about my close entourage.
“And why do you like camping in the UK?”
– Yes, it’s just that the British were the first to invite me to the training camp. And I liked this professional approach. I remember we weren’t allowed to drink water (during practice) and then they begged, “Drink water, drink water.” It looks like a trifle, but it is not a trifle.
“CRAWFORD’S CONFIDENCE IS IN OUR HAND”
– We return to your December battle. Have you ever wondered why Crawford chose you? It is voluntary protection. Their team therefore had a shortlist of several names.
– I did not think about it. I will say more: when I was preparing for the fight on November 19, I had an inner feeling that I would have a duel with Crawford. I even talked about it to the team, we laughed. And in the end, that’s how it went – intuition pushed.
– Did I understand correctly that it will be a voluntary defense of the belt of Crawford?
“Yes, it should be. I am not the number one WBO (sixth – approx.), And on the first line is Virgil Ortiz.
– And the option of a rematch is not included in this fight?
– Yes. And my promoter was surprised – there is no rematch option.
– This indicates either an error on the part of the Crawford team or their confidence in the final result and considering this fight as a return to the ring.
– That they see it that way. It’s in our hands.
– Okay, everyone in boxing will perceive your fight as a kind of victorious return of Crawford, who will fight for the first time in 2022?
– So many people perceive it. In the United States, it is generally talked about why Crawford chose Avanesyan, and not the same Ortiz. The English are drowning for me! They are told, “Avanesyan lost to Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Crawford won to him.” And they get the answer, “Now there will be another David.”
Honestly, I don’t think at all about how anyone is watching this fight. The Lord gave me this chance, I only think about how to defeat Crawford.
– I mean you won’t be a direct and clear favorite.
– With (Kerman) Lejarraga, with Kelly, I was not the favorite either. In many fights he was not a favorite, and I love him even more.
Let’s take a look at the statistics. Crawford is undefeated and last fought in 2016 when he beat Viktor Postol.
— By the way, in the near future I want to see the duel between Crawford and Postol. Now I just have to study the opponent and prepare for him. I haven’t followed it closely before. I watched his last fight with Sean Porter. What can I say… We have to go defeat him.
I consider Crawford my rival. There’s definitely no “Wow, it’s Crawford, it’s Superman.” I don’t consider it bulletproof. I want to fight the strong.
– You mentioned the interview with the American media. Colleagues didn’t ask questions from the category: “Are you really going to beat Crawford?”
“By the way, no. How many people told me about this topic, there were no such questions. I was asked what I thought and what I expected from this fight. And my answer is succinct: “I have to beat Terence Crawford.” I’m going to win! Not: “Oh, my God. What do I do, what do I do, why did I agree…” Why then box with such thoughts (laughs).
– Crawford and the champion of the three remaining versions, the American Errol Spence, could not agree on a unification fight for a long time.
– It’s a business, there’s a lot of money. I don’t know which of them is running or what. Yes, I’m not interested. My goal is to beat Crawford and then beat Spence.
And after Spence?
– Then we will talk and think (laughs).
“US VISA SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. I WILL PAY TOO MUCH FOR IT…”
– Was it possible not to refuse the European champion’s belt?
– I immediately told my manager that I was ready to fight on November 19, then on December 10. For me it would be even better. He said, “I’m getting a big stagnation, I’d like to box ahead of Crawford.” I was told it was impossible. Or I box with Crawford. or defend the EBU belt.
– The choice is obvious. The next question is about the US visa. Are you worried about not being able to enter the United States?
“That’s what lawyers do. But if I am refused a visa, it is certainly not my fault. I accepted their crazy terms in terms of amounts (on visa processing). I think everything will be fine.
– In 2022, Russians often fight with the best boxers in the world in the ratings. What do you think, which fight is cooler – David Avanesyan and Terence Crawford or Dmitry Bivol and Saul Alvarez?
“You definitely shouldn’t answer questions like that. Bivol is just brilliant, once again I congratulate him on his win over Alvarez. Such questions should be asked of boxing fans. For me the big fight is Crawford and for Bivol it’s Canelo. I’m happy to have had the chance to become world champion again. I will do my best to achieve my goal.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
