“In the West they love uncompromising guys”: Ryabinsky on the popularity of Povetkin, a rematch with Hunter and the future of Bivol

“Boxers must decide for themselves whether to go to the Olympics in neutral status”

- On December 9, the WADA executive committee accepted the recommendation of the compliance committee to deprive Russia of the right to participate in major international sports competitions for four years. General Secretary of the Boxing Federation of Russia Umar Kremlev said that athletes may refuse to go to the Olympic Games in neutral status. What do you think about this?

- This should be determined by the internal principles of each boxer. It seems to me that it’s better not to appear under a neutral flag, but this is my personal opinion. If someone makes a different decision, do not blame these people.

- Recently, Dmitry Kudryashov said that he would like to conduct a fight according to the rules of MMA, and Rakhim Chakhkiev called Alexander Emelianenko for a boxing match. How do you feel about such possible changes in sports?

- Always and in everything we support our guys. We talked with Kudryashov, I do not mind. He’s a great guy, and I want him to be fine. If he finds himself in MMA - fine, he will remain in boxing - even better. As for Rahim, I did not really understand all this skirmish, I do not like this. I think this is the wrong PR. But Chakhkiev is also a very good and kind guy, an Olympic champion and an excellent boxer. I have great respect for him.

- What are your impressions of the fight between Andy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua?

- Joshua was the initiator of the fact that the fight turned out to be boring and interesting to no one. Nevertheless, he confidently took the belts in the classroom. It is clear that for the audience it was not a very exciting fight. But boxing is not ballet, entertainment is secondary. So he did everything right.

- What impression does Alexander Usik make on you, who turned into a heavy weight?

- In my opinion, he is a brilliant athlete. He's like Roy Jones - you have to be born like that. The way he sees everything, moves, feels the distance, his timing is brilliant.

- Some time ago you said that you were tired of promotion. Does this mean that we should expect a change in the leadership of the “Boxing World”?

- I changed my mind. Indeed, you can get tired of everything. But I am completely satisfied with the way we build our activities, conduct work.

- How do you feel about the possibility of selling rights to boxers?

- We, indeed, often receive offers on the redemption of rights to athletes, but we are not interested. Now, if you were tired, then you could think about it.

- Which of the boxers pleasantly surprised you this year and which fights do you remember most of all?

- Everything. This applies even to Sasha Povetkin, because it was a beautiful draw, especially compared to the main fight. Everything was interesting there, but it was this fight that turned out to be especially serious and cool. And so all the guys go well. Dmitry Bivol works great in America, he has great prospects and opportunities. Sergey Kuzmin has problems. He recently lost and was injured. But it will recover and will continue.

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“A draw in the fight Povetkin Hunter was fair”

- Were you surprised by the decision of the judges in the fight between Povetkin and Hunter?

- In my opinion, this draw was fair. Because even on all kinds of boxing public opinions were distributed approximately the same. At the same time, many there also considered that the fight was a draw.

- Povetkin admitted that during the battle he felt not in the best way, which he himself told the coach. Was that really so?

- Yes, and at the same time he defended twelve rounds. This is a complete distance and a very serious load. Not every athlete is able to go through twelve rounds in such an equal battle. Sasha has condition, but it is necessary to polish a little more.

- Will there be a rematch and when exactly?

- It was a fight for the title of mandatory challenger for the WBA champion title, and in the end he should decide. Therefore, yes, there will be a rematch. But we have just begun negotiations on this topic.

- Recently, Dillian White challenged Povetkin to battle. Does Alexander consider meeting him?

- If I'm not mistaken, he calls Sasha for the third time. He appeals to everyone.

- How do you explain the recent high interest in Povetkin in the UK?

- Boxing fans in the West love uncompromising guys, they feel the character. Of course, you can neatly box, following the installation of the coach, as Joshua did in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, preference is given to more aggressive athletes with great dedication. And Sasha is very suitable. After three or four fights in the UK, the local audience fell in love with him: people recognize on the streets, take autographs. Now boxing fans already know exactly who Alexander Povetkin is.

- Do not you think that he spoke for too long in his homeland, and the course to the West should have been taken a little earlier?

- The fact is that we used to mainly organize events in Russia, so he spoke here. And since now we increasingly began to conduct fights around the world, Sasha got the opportunity to box abroad.

- Are you comfortable with how Dmitry Bivol’s career is currently developing?

- At Bivol everything is going very right now. We must remember the main principle: everything has its time. He is a cool boxer, techie. Then it will be cooler, see. As for the opponent, that is, the ideas and strategy that we are following. However, it is too early to make official statements.

- The Top Rank announced their intention to organize a battle between Bivol and Beterbiev in 2020. Are negotiations already underway?

- Not yet, but you need to understand that the fight between Bivol and Beterbiev is inevitable. Yes, one day their paths will intersect, and with a high probability this will happen in 2020.

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- In the near future, Beterbiev is scheduled to fight with the Chinese Meng Fanlun. Does Bivol also plan to hold a warm-up fight before the fight with Arthur?

- Oh sure.

- The candidacy of Sergei Kovalev as a possible rival of Bivol is still being considered?

- There is a probability, and high. Of course, I would like our guys to fight foreigners, and not meet each other. But, I’m afraid it’s impossible to avoid such fights.

- How did you feel about the fact that Kovalev spoke harshly about his fans, who bet on his victory over Alvarez? In particular, he called them ignoramuses and said that they were punished for their greed.

- I know Sergey personally; he is a very kind and decent person. These words were spontaneously spoken. You need to understand that the defeat from Alvarez became extremely unpleasant for him. In turn, he should be more calm about all statements in his direction. He is a wonderful boxer who will forever remain in history. As for the fight, Kovalev really was not in the best shape and was not ready for it. I am sure he could show himself much better, but he was not found in the best conditions.

“Is Bivol interested in a fight with Alvarez?”

- Yes very. This fight would be a dessert for all boxing fans. He is a great rival in many ways. The fight with Alvarez will bring Bivol a good fee, but his sports interest will also be very high.

- Why then chose to work in the direction of Beterbiev, and not Alvarez? After all, this battle is much more status and profitable.

- Wait. Everything has its time.

- Nikolai Valuev said that at the moment Alvarez is the strongest light heavyweight boxer. Do you agree with him?

- I would speak even more categorically. Canelo Alvarez is a star. He is one of the best fighters in general, excluding weight categories.