“I would love to talk with Khabib”: Gadzhimagomedov about the UFC champion, the transition to professionals and the boycott of Ukraine at the 2019 World Cup

- Did you expect that you will become the sole owner of gold in boxing competitions at the European Games in Minsk?

- No, I thought that our team will have more awards of the highest standard. Somewhere, the guys didn’t have enough, but, in my opinion, everyone performed with dignity.

- Do you agree with the head of the Boxing Federation of Russia Umar Kremlyov, that the Russians were practically reserve personnel?

- That's right, we went mainly with "second numbers". If there were more boxers from the base, a few more gold medals would be provided to us.

- The shortage of medals is a consequence of defective composition or strength of rivals?

- Both reasons influenced the result. The opponents were very well trained, and somewhere we were out of luck.

- Did refereeing become another unfavorable factor?

- Indeed, the fights were very smooth, and where our guys did not win, it seemed that the judges were missing points.

- Did you notice this in your fights?

Yes, there have been times when judges have been more biased towards me. More often I come across similar ones at international tournaments.

- You went to the 2017 European Championship instead of Georgy Kushitashvili, who was not allowed into the territory of Ukraine. Remember how it all happened then?

- I remember perfectly, unforgettable sensations ( Laughs ). Then initially everything went to the fact that I had to go to that championship. But at the very last moment, the coach changed his mind. I went home to rest. Of course, he was terribly upset and went to bed by disconnecting the phone. And suddenly friends come to me and tell me that I need to urgently fly out, a taxi is already waiting. Of course, if I had a normal preparation, without this confusion, I think, there could be the first. It is very difficult to concentrate when today you are told that you are going, and tomorrow you are not. The lack of certainty makes it difficult to get together.

- Then they discussed this situation with Kushitashvili?

- No, they didn’t discuss it separately. I think he himself understood that justice had triumphed to some extent: it was then that I was the first number and had to go.

- This time, on the eve of the championship of the planet again, there were news from Ukraine. What do you think about the decision of the Ukrainian Boxing Federation not to send its delegation to Yekaterinburg?

- Very disappointing. We follow each other on social networks with Ukrainian guys, congratulations on the holidays. Of course, I personally would like them to take part, these are interesting opponents, and we communicate warmly during tournaments - outside the ring, of course.

- Recently, the topic of holding fights between boxers and fighters of mixed martial arts has been popular. Would you agree to a similar adventure?

- We’ll see, but I think that if I’ll be fine with boxing, I won’t have to think about a transition or such meetings.

- Familiar with Khabib Nurmagomedov?

- No, I have never met, but if the opportunity presents itself, I will communicate with him with pleasure.

- Nurmagomedov is quite active in the media. For example, he stated that he wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather according to the rules of boxing. Does the Russian have a chance to win?

- With all due respect to Nurmagomedov, I think Mayweather would have won. Firstly, he is a boxer, and secondly, despite his age, he has never lost and has enormous experience.

- Faster you become the champion of the UFC or Nurmagomedov - the world boxing champion?

- Here our chances are approximately equal ( Laughs ).

- Have you ever thought about continuing your career?

- Of all the options, I consider professional boxing, but all this only after the Olympics, if I do not decide to stay in amateurs.

- Who are you targeting in boxing?

- On Alexander Usik. I really like the way he boxes, and in heavyweight - at Tyson Fury. The Briton moves very well. I even try to learn from them some points.

- With the advent of Viktor Fakhrutdinov, have boxers begun to work more with personal trainers?

- Yes, perhaps this is so. But Eduard Kravtsov gave time for individual work. But at the time of Oleg Menshikov, a personal mentor could not even be allowed to enter the base.

- How do you assess the psychological state of the team before an important start?

- We are taking shape, we feel, first of all, a tremendous responsibility, there is a desire to prove ourselves in the best way, we are tuned in only to gold.

- Didn’t consult with the football team, how not to face in the home world championship?

- No, we are not friends with the players ( Laughs ).