36-year-old Russian heavyweight Sergey Kuzmin has 18 wins (13 by KO) with two losses coming in 2019 (from Michael Hunter) and 2020 (from Martin Bakole). After these two consecutive failures, Kuzmin achieved three victories. And on July 20 in St. Petersburg, one of the heavyweight leaders in Russia will enter the ring against the Mexican German Garcia Montes (8-5, KO 8). On the eve of this meeting, spoke with Sergey Kuzmin, and from this interview you can find out:
“IF YOU GAVE MORE IN THE KULASHKOV THAN IN THE PROFBOX, YOU WILL ALSO DO THERE”
– Sergey, you have to admit that you don’t fight as often as you would like?
– Yes, in general, the whole situation with fights at the international level seems difficult due to certain restrictions. Now it is very difficult to fight for the title. Russia has been expelled from the international sporting arena, and so far it seems ridiculous. Professional boxing loses because of our absence. I think we miss our colleagues across the ocean. After all, it is interesting to watch real fights … We have a Soviet boxing school. And it is interesting to watch the opposition of different styles and schools. And styles make fights.
Are you satisfied with the progress of your career?
– I was already in the top 15 of the heavyweight rankings. I’ve already looked at what’s going on. After my defeats, my career restarted. But now there are some limitations. For example, I can’t go to the United States. They were due to stage a fight in the United Arab Emirates in early June. I have waited and prepared for this date. And then again, the main battle failed and the show was covered. In general, I accept the fights that are offered to me. But I don’t go to pop MMA because I have a different fight format. I don’t want to say if it’s good or not (speaking of pop MMA). It’s their business. God took it away from me. I already had my bare-knuckle fights at the age of 16-17. Yes, I fought in the street and I know what it’s worth. It’s not interesting to me right now. I know my worth. And I know that I have not only become an honored master of the sport. I have enough skills and health to at least become world champion.
In the current situation, there are constantly factors that hinder a career. I had three fights in three years. It is very difficult for a professional athlete. Also, remember that there is a family and children who need to be fed. Without support… Many were left without fights. And where to go to work?.. Among taxi drivers and security guards?! What other areas are people in the martial arts offered to work in?
– You pointed out that you had three fights in three years. Therefore, the question is – what do you live on?
– Well, what they give, that’s what I live for. The organizers of my fights know everything. Let’s say there are. If they gave more to the fist than in professional boxing, I would of course go and fight there. Why not?
“ANDY RUIS IS NOT A FAKE CHAMPION”
“If we ignore reality. Do you have a wish list of suitors?
“People in the top 20. At least Anthony Joshua. I could fight him. I know who it is. Even Andy Ruiz. He is also a good and strong opponent. By the way, we have a boxer in our country, like Ruiz – Maxim Babanin. There are many boxers in the world that you want to fight. The desire is immense, but it is far from always possible to organize such and such a duel.
– You fought with Ruiz.
– Yes, I had a long preparation before the fight with Amir Mansour (which took place in November 2017, due to a strong clash of heads in the third round, a technical draw was recorded, but afterwards the fight was declared a draw due to a failed doping test by Mansour, – note “”). And I trained in the United States for three months. Dima Bivol was preparing his fight, and I was preparing mine. In general, I had great training sessions with Ruiz. Andy is a great guy. He is a hard worker who earns on his hump. Andy Ruiz is not a false champion. What he did to Joshua is worth it.
– More recently, an interview with your coach Gennady Mashyanov was published on . And the specialist also recalled your fight with Ruiz and said you ‘didn’t feel it at all’.
I wouldn’t say I didn’t feel it. He weighed more than 120 kg, and I can tell you that he has a very hard blow. He is well trained. He has a school, but not completely finished – he turned professional early. And we had some really good fights. I gained tremendous experience.
“I WILL END THE FIGHT WITH MONTES THE TIME THE SOUL POSITIONS ITSELF”
– At the end of the conversation, let’s talk about your next fight with Montes.
– I know that he recently boxed in Dubai with our compatriot Ruslan Faifer (in the fight in March, Faifer won by split decision of the judges, and this verdict caused controversy – about “”). Montes’ style is such that anything can end in the first round. He advances, goes to cut. Well, in principle, like many Mexicans. I wouldn’t call him a puncher, but a patient boxer.
– In general, do you expect to win in the first round?
– There is no such attitude. How the soul will dispose of when I enter the ring. If I feel like it in the first round, I’ll finish the fight in the first round. But on the other hand, I want the audience to enjoy the show, so that there is both drama and comedy. This is not the first time that I take part in the main fight in St. Petersburg and I want to please everyone.
– What will victory over Montes bring you?
– She will at least give me a crust of bread (laughs) so that I can continue to exist. And then I will continue to train and wait for my chance.
***
The tournament will be broadcast live on on July 20 in St. Petersburg. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Moscow time.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
