“Attitude towards Ismailov? He is a business partner. There is no confrontation” – Vladimir Mineev

Russian fighter Vladimir Mineev said he perceived his compatriot Magomed Ismailova as a business partner.

The boxing fight between Ismailov and Mineev will take place on Saturday in Moscow and will consist of eight rounds. The rivals had two fights under MMA rules in 2018 and 2021, which ended in a draw and a victory for Mineev, respectively.

— What do you think Ismailov will rely on in boxing?

– He always has the same tactics. He will do everything in his power to finish the fight in the first rounds.

— How would you rate your level of preparedness on a scale of ten?

– 9.5.

— Are you preparing for a knockout?

“I’m preparing for a good boxing.” I want to feel the opponent, the ring. In general, you don’t need to focus on one hit.

— Did you have enough time to prepare?

– That’s enough. I think I’m in top shape.

— Tell us about your fight with 2019 World Heavyweight Championship bronze medalist Maxim Babanin.

“We had four sparring sessions, and the first two sessions were very difficult for me. And then I got used to it and in two weeks I was in shape. Boxing is another specificity. I haven’t boxed for a long time. The last time I boxed was 14 years ago.

— Why didn’t they invite the world kickboxing champion, and now the WBA Asian champion in the first heavyweight division, Alexei Papin?

— We talked on the phone. He is also preparing for a fight (at the end of August with Felix Valera). And he is not similar in style and size to Magomed Ismailov. Maxim Babanin also sat down (in sparring). In addition, he has guys in his team who helped him prepare. Everything was good in preparation.

— Your confrontation with Ismailov has been going on for six years. How is your relationship now?

– (after a pause). You could say that they are partners. We are business partners in this area. I have no triggers. I closed everything for myself during the last confrontation. And now we have a clean slate… In an interview on , he expressed his thoughts about our relationship. I expressed mine. We discussed everything. We shook hands, there was no confrontation, no animosity. In sports terms, it is even correct. Opponents should not be friends, “the correspondent reports, based on Mineev’s words.

Mineev, 34, has 16 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw in MMA. In September 2022, Mineev received a call-up and joined the Russian Armed Forces in February 2023. Several times the fighter returned from the SVO zone to participate in fights under the rules of kickboxing. Ismailov, 38, has 18 wins, three losses and one draw in MMA.

Watch the live broadcast of the fight between Mineev and Ismailov on July 20 on channel, the broadcast starts at 22:00 Moscow time.

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