russian boxer Murat Gasiev in an interview with , he said he had no idea of ending his career and made it clear that he wanted to become a world heavyweight champion.
Because of Gassiev, 28, 28 victories including a defeat against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in July 2018 in the fight for the title of absolute world champion at the first heavyweight. After this fight, Gassiev gained weight and fought two fights – in 2020 the Russian knocked out Albanian Nuri Seferi, in July 2021 – the German Michael Wallisch. On Friday in Belgrade, Gassiev will face American Carlous Welch.
The 42-year-old Welch has 21 wins (18 by knockout) with two losses and a draw. The last time the American lost was in April 2018. Since then he has had 19 successful fights, the last time Welch entered the ring in May this year.
“I didn’t know it myself and I haven’t heard of him as a boxer,” Gassiev said of Welch. – But then I read about him, but there weren’t so many videos. I managed to watch a few videos. Again, I have to do my job, I have to come back, remember how to box, slowly build momentum. Naturally, the level of opposition will also increase. I know myself at what level I am, what I can be. Myself, I want to box with the best, to get closer to the fights for the title.
– The path of battles with spinning tops is not close. Or is it not?
– I do not know. But I know what’s in my heart, in my soul, what my desire is. One or two fights and I’m ready to fight anyone.
What is your main motivation at the moment?
– Become a heavyweight champion. This is my biggest motivation. Here you say the peaks are far away. Before the fight with Denis Lebedev in the first heavyweight (in December 2016), they said that it was too early for me, that such and such was going to beat me, but I had a desire and an aspiration to become world champion. And as practice has shown, I succeeded, I was able to achieve a certain result. It’s the same with the heavyweights… It doesn’t matter who and what he thinks and says from the outside. I believe in myself, in my team, my desires and my ambitions. I will only go forward.
For Gassiev, the fight against Welch will only be the third in four years: after the fight with Usyk, he has been haunted by a whole series of injuries.
– You have a straight black streak in your career. You haven’t thought of that? Were there thoughts about karma and so on?
“There are bad times in every athlete’s career. Boxing is a traumatic sport. We understand the sacrifices we make. Normally, I overcame everything. Yes, it’s hard not to box. That’s what I live for now – I want to box, train, show good fights. And this (the disruption of battles) is part of our life, we have to calmly accept it and, gritting our teeth, move on.
– This sequence lasts four years…
“My career has slowed down a bit. He didn’t even stop, but started moving a little slower. But the most important thing is what’s in my head and in my heart.
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.
