“I don’t need a hype”: Besputin about a possible fight between Emelianenko and Kadyrov, performances in Russia and the achievements of Nurmagomedov

“The battles in Russia are just around the corner”

- You have been playing professionally since 2015, but you have not had a single match in Russia. How did it happen?

- Yes, unfortunately, so far I have not had fights in Russia. This is due to the fact that I have an American promoter, so all my fights, except the last one, took place in the United States. But I hope to fix this in the near future, perhaps the title will be defended already in my native land.

- This is a settled issue?

- I don’t know exactly yet, at the moment it’s just my desire. But the thought is material, so we will think about the good.

- Are there any specific agreements regarding the upcoming fight?

- Known opponent. We are talking about the mandatory protection of the belt, so it will be Cuban Jordenis Ugas. True, he will have to hold another match on February 1. As for the time, initially the battle was supposed to take place earlier, but it had to be postponed, since in early December I received a strong cut in a meeting with Rajab Butaev. Therefore, perhaps first I will carry out arbitrary defense, and then already mandatory. While more specific details are unknown to me.

- Have you often received offers to fight at home?

- Yes, such conversations are ongoing. Now at the helm of the Boxing Federation of Russia (FBI) are people who understand this sport, they really want to develop it in all directions. To a greater extent, I mean its president, Umar Kremlev. It is pleasant and joyful that this happens, and the organization itself is very powerful. Therefore, I think that fighting in Russia is not far off.

- In your opinion, is it possible to become a successful fighter and a distinguished world champion, speaking mainly in Russia?

- I repeat, under the current leadership of the FBI, I think that this is possible.

- So, the example of Denis Lebedev, who, after losing to Marco Hook, fought exclusively in his homeland, but at the same time possessed world titles in two versions, is no exception to the rule?

- No, everything is natural.

- Do you know Lebedev?

- Yes. By the way, he spent his last fight in Krasnoyarsk, in my hometown.

- What did not work for him in a duel with Tabiso Mchunu?

“I think it’s not about that something didn’t work out for him.” Just affected age and simple. Still, every year we are not getting younger, and Denis already has an advanced age for boxing. Therefore, everything depended solely on himself, and not on his opponent. And, as they say, the years have taken their toll.

- So, ending his career after the fight with Mchunu was a logical step for him?

- I think yes.

- But at the same time, another famous Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin continues to perform successfully at the same age. What is the secret of his success?

- You know, there is no single rule. Someone enters the ring until the age of 40, someone up to 50. One already at 25 years old feels old for a great sport, and the other and at 45 remain in great shape. A vivid confirmation of this is the American Bernard Hopkins, who won his next league title at 49. Therefore, there are no age limits here, but only internal health and physical condition.

- Will Povetkin be able in the future to achieve the right to fight again for the world title?

- Of course. Sasha is a strong boxer who is always at the top of the rating. Therefore, I think his big title fight is also just around the corner.

- Which of the welterweight representatives would you like to fight?

- I have no particular preferences. I just would like to strengthen the position in my organization - the World Boxing Association (WBA) and combine the titles. Therefore, first of all, I am interested in the owners of the belts.

- If you could choose Manny Pacquiao or Terrence Crawford as a potential rival, who would you stop at?

- From a political point of view, Crawford is more accessible, because, firstly, we are in the same promotion, and secondly, this is a young boxer. And Pacquiao is a legend, a man who no longer needs to prove anything, he did it a very long time ago. Difficult choice, difficult to answer.

• Boxer Besputin on the upcoming WBA title defense

- Who is currently the best welterweight boxer?

- If I name someone, it turns out that I underestimate myself (Laughs) . And talking to yourself is too pathetic. I think now we have a lot of good boxers. The same Crawford is a powerful athlete and at the moment one of the best boxers in the world, regardless of weight category. Errol Spence is also very strong. Welterweight has always been famous for competition and vibrant confrontations. The current situation is no exception. There are a lot of different names, due to which you can strengthen your position.

- Is it true that you are close friends with the world champion in the second featherweight champion Vasily Lomachenko? Can you spar with him?

- True. But we never sparred.

- Can he be called the best boxer in the world at the moment?

- Yes, I consider him the best boxer, regardless of weight category.

“Habib is a legendary man for Russia”

- Recently, fights between representatives of different sports have become increasingly popular. How do you feel about this trend?

- This is a show, not a sport. Therefore, I treat you like any show.

- Would you agree to such a fight?

- No, at the moment I'm playing sports.

- Even if Khabib Nurmagomedov came out against you and you had to fight by the rules of boxing?

- Habib is a legendary person for Russia. You can no longer be afraid of such words. But we are engaged in various sports.

- Recently, ex-boxer Roy Jones Jr. said that Nurmagomedov had a stronger blow than Conor McGregor, although the Irishman won most of his victories by knockout. Do you agree with this point of view?

- Honestly, I do not follow who says what. If Jones said so, then he watched and analyzed their fights. I do not do this often, so I will not answer this question.

- Recently it became known that MMA fighter Alexander Emelianenko can hold a boxing match with the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. Do such confrontations contribute to the popularization of sports?

- Of course, although this is also a show. You talk about this, then such events are popular.

- So, it is worth carrying them out, despite the fact that their sports component is rather doubtful?

- I'm not a sports functionary. I’m doing my business, sports, so it’s difficult to talk about the show, about hype, I don’t need such things. And in boxing, I am exclusively interested in the sports component.

- In your opinion, in Russia do many boxing fans know Alexander Besputin?

- Unfortunately, I doubt it. Even judging by my Instagram page, where there are only 19 thousand subscribers. Of course, I would like to have more. God forbid that professional boxing as a whole is gaining popularity, so that young people go not to the street, but to sports halls.

• Boxer Besputin about the name and meeting with Putin

- Your surname is consonant with the surname of the President of the Russian Federation. Did it cause any unusual reaction from those who heard it for the first time?

- No, everyone reacts because of their mental development, I would say so. And no one was ever interested in its origin.

- Have you ever talked with Vladimir Putin?

- No, unfortunately, I do not know him personally. Maybe in the future this will happen.

- What would you say to him at a meeting?

- For a start I would welcome. I think I would be a little confused.