“Do you want me to bury myself in a pillow and cry after defeat? Interview with fighter Alexei Papin

End of October Alexei Papin (15-2, KO 2) was somewhat sensationally defeated in one of the most high-profile fights of the year in Russian boxing – against compatriot Soslan Asbarov (5-0, KO 1).

Some time later, Papin meets a correspondent from and very frankly analyzes his performance. From this interview you can learn:

“THE FIGHT WITH ASBAROV TOOK ME OUT OF A REHABILITATION ROUTINE”

— Alexey, were you able to watch the fight with Asbarov again? Maybe they’ve already rethought something?

— I didn’t watch the fight, I can’t find the strength to do it (smile). But there is an analysis and an understanding of the reasons. There is a clear understanding of what needs to be worked on.

— Was the year-long downtime without fighting the virus the main factor? Your last fight took place on October 29, when you defeated Damir Bello in the second round.

“I think it’s a combination of several factors.” Simplicity is one of them, but not the most important.

—Wasn’t it worth organizing some kind of intermediate fight?

– If we had such an opportunity, we would do it. Without the fight with Soslan, my healing would have taken longer. The fight with Soslan took me out of that rehabilitation routine and I came back to the sport. Because it took a long time. I’m glad to be back. Yes, the fight didn’t go the way we wanted… Nothing worked at all, I showed at most 30% of my potential.

– Well, this is also the merit of the opponent.

“My opponent’s merit is certainly there in that. Asbarov – well done! He did an excellent job. But when you can’t work to your full potential… Did you see for yourself that I wasn’t like me?

—Immediately after the fight, during an interview, I said that it was your worst performance of your career.

— There are objective reasons for this. Asbarov – well done! I won’t say anything publicly, it will seem like some kind of apology. We were both preparing for a specific date that we knew in advance. Both entered the ring. If you do this, you have to give 100%. If you can’t do that, then that’s your difficulty. That day, Soslan was stronger. But I focus on the phrase “that day.”

“I UNDERSTAND THAT IMMEDIATE VENGEANCE MAKES NO SENSE”

— Despite the painful defeat, you immediately spoke to many journalists. Although many people, after defeats, simply go to the locker room and withdraw into themselves.

– Do you want me to bury myself in my pillow and cry? (Laughs). No! So many fans support me, so many people pray for me. From all over our country, from abroad, guys from the Northern Military District are sending videos of support. I hear in the video how it crashes from all sides, and they record a cry for help. As a result, immediately after the fight, I couldn’t help but speak.

And now, taking this opportunity, I want to thank everyone who supports me. I would also like to thank the North Stand, the fans in the arena and those who watched this fight on television or on the Internet, who encouraged me. Guys, thank you very much! I still receive a lot of messages to this day. I am very happy that you are with me, whatever the outcome of this fight. But guys, it was just a bad day at work, which we’ll fix. Necessarily!

– In general, this thing does not apply to you: when you win, there are a large number of people around you, and when you lose, only a few remain.

– Yes, that’s not my case. Not this time. I received enormous support before and after the fight. Right now… Well, here’s the call after the fight, and I understand people are really looking for the words: “Lech, uh, we’re calling… We want to support you.” My response is: “Guys, everything is fine. I understand.” I understand what I have to do and what stopped me in this fight.

— There were also negative comments, according to which Alexei Papin can now be written off.

— I haven’t been using social media much lately. I’m gradually starting to use social media again. I have hundreds of messages there… As for your question, it is the subjective opinion of a certain person. There may be several opinions. My job is to dispel these thoughts in people. To do this, I must show brilliant fights. That’s all! My task is to recover, rehabilitate, return to training, work on my mistakes and finish it all with a hard fight.

– To recover? Damage or injury?

– Well… There are times.

— The most mundane, but most important question regarding your career is what’s next?

– I’m interested in revenge. But I understand that immediate revenge doesn’t make sense. I need to have at least one or two more fights. And maybe we’ll somehow interest Soslan.

— So you know that Asbarov is now moving to the A team?

“I don’t care which side is which.” The main driver is public interest. If people are interested in this fight, then it will happen. My audience is interested in this revenge. I have something to say in battle.

“I UNDERSTAND THAT MINEEV WAS A PHOTOMONTAGE, BUT… IF YOU SAID SO, THEN BE KIND TO RESPOND”

— Have you followed the controversy between Ismailov and Mineev on social networks against the backdrop of Vladimir purchasing tickets to Palestine?

— I have heard and seen tickets in the name of Magomed Ismailov. I understand that this is a photo montage, but… If you said it, then be kind enough to respond to your words. If such an opportunity is offered to you and you want it, do it. If you were just saying that to get some fresh air… That’s different.

— Are you on Vladimir Mineev’s side in this situation?

— Vladimir Mineev is a brilliant representative of the one who said and did. He was in no way threatened with participation in the Northern Military District or mobilization. His brother died in the Northern Military District. Kingdom of Heaven to Peter… But Vladimir, despite this, goes there and continues to participate in the SVO. He’s fighting. Vladimir Mineev, like no one else, has the right to speak on this topic! Neither I, nor you, nor anyone else can talk about military operations. And Vova has every right to speak out on this topic.

—Are you discussing with Mineev what is happening in the Northern Military District?

— Before getting ready, I went there, Volodya and I met in Donetsk. We took my brother there, he signed a contract with the Alexander Nevsky detachment. It is now in the Northern Military District.

– Not your brother?

– No. I have many relatives and friends who participate in SVO. We support them.

—Is there any bad news?

– Of course they do. Everything is not going as well as some people make it out to be. Our guys are great and handsome, but we can’t do without losses. For my part, I try to provide humanitarian aid and reach out to the combatants. I think after a short time I will go back.

— I would like to end our conversation with a question about sport. On November 18 in Sochi, Mineev will hold a kickboxing match against Ivan Shtyrkov. What’s in it for you?

– What are they saying there? Gap. Yet Shtyrkov’s level of striking technique and Mineev’s level of kickboxing are simply incomparable. Volodya and I were on the kickboxing team together. He is a brilliant representative of this sport. It won’t be a difficult fight for him, let’s put it that way. For Ivan, it’s a big step, but I doubt he can do it.

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