Boxer Gassiev: “Wallin was better, stronger, faster than me. I would love to box with him again.”

Russian boxer Murat Gassiev who competes in the heavyweight category, said he would like to have a rematch with Swede Otto Wallin.

At the end of September, Gassiev lost to Wallin by split decision, the fight took place in Turkey. Former WBA and IBF cruiserweight champion Gassiev has 30 wins and two losses. Wallin has 26 victories in his career and suffered a defeat against the current WBC champion, Briton Tyson Fury.

— After the fight with Wallin, you did not appear in the media. How painful has it become?

—I’m just spending time with my family. We didn’t raise our hands, we lost, we move on. Ordinary moments, working moments.

— Do you agree with the judges’ decision?

“If you don’t raise your hand, that means I lost.” The judges probably know this better than me.

— Have you seen this fight again?

— I’m not criticizing the fights. This one was no exception.

— What do you think was missing?

“He was better, stronger, faster than me.” You have to work and start all over again.

— You weighed less than usual. For what?

— We cooked in Turkey, it was very hot there. I didn’t lose weight on purpose; it disappeared on its own.

—There were rumors on the sidelines that you had been poisoned. Is this so?

– I was poisoned, I didn’t sleep enough… They said a lot of things. I was well prepared, but my opponent was much better prepared. He didn’t let me show my full potential.

—Didn’t it seem possible to change tactics and use plan B?

— There was a plan B, a plan C and a plan A. Unfortunately, all three didn’t work. This means we need to prepare more plans for the battle.

— What are your plans now?

“We need to celebrate the New Year, holidays, spend time with family, start getting in shape and look forward to some fights. Maybe we will change something, leave something behind. There will be some clarity in the coming months.

“You don’t think you’ve gone backwards?” We took two or three steps back.

– Certainly. Now Wallin is boxing with Joshua. I myself was counting on good fights. Now we have to fight three or four times. Maybe two or one, I don’t know. This is 100% a step backwards. Maybe now I’ll make two in advance.

— When the fight between Wallin and Joshua was announced, did you think you could have been in his place?

— Pleasant emotions, I was happy for him. I’m interested to see how he performs against Joshua. I think it will be a very interesting fight. Otto waited a long time for his chance. This is the biggest fight of his career.

– Does he have a good chance against Joshua?

– I think they are good. He is such a troublesome and clumsy opponent. I will be happy to watch the fight.

—Is a rematch with Wallin an end in itself for you?

“I would love to box with him again.” If an opportunity presents itself, I will not miss it. And then – how does it happen. I would love to box with him again.

— Tell us about the operation, you have a scar on your neck.

– Yes, I have suffered from a hernia for several years. I had it done a month ago by the best neurosurgeon in Russia and the world, Dmitry Dzubaev. Now he is fully recovered. A month has passed – there are no restrictions. The vacation will end and I will start full training.

—Is there an approximate date when you want to get in the ring?

– There is no understanding now. I’m thinking of spring. In late spring, something will happen.

—Which opponents will you need after your return?

— Let’s start with easier opponents. We must close the defeat, feel the bell. And there may be an interesting offer. We will use it.

— What fights will you watch besides the Joshua-Wallin fight?

– All. Parker vs. Wilder is a good fight. Dubois will fight Miller, Makhmudov will fight Kabayel – a very good fight. They are now the first heavyweights. Dima Bivol will also box. It’s one of the best boxing evenings of the year,” reports the correspondent, according to Gassiev’s words.