I’ve heard you’re injured. Are we going to see you on Nemiroff?

You have to understand that Nemiroff is THE professional championship. To go there you need to be properly prepared. I’m having some ligament problems now, and after a lot of tournaments this year, I’ve finally decided to slow down, to regenerate. Every contestant struggles with some minor injuries in their own way. I just want to avoid placing last. The level of contestants is very high, it won’t be easy to trick any of them. You can compare this to fighting with your left hand behind your back – sooner or later, you are going to get a right fist in your face. I’m not ready, I’m not in top form, but that has never stopped me before. If my ligaments heal enough, then who knows...

You have once before been in Nemiroff World Cup. What are your most memorable victories?

The thing you remember the most is not the victories, but the losses. You constantly analyze them, it’s necessary to make progress and insure an upper hand for the future. I’m grateful to those who beat me, because they gave me motivation to get better, to think, to train to become who I am now. My losses had more impact on me than my victories. I approach victories philosophically, and losses – they are a challenge, a chance to improve myself. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy winning, because I do! To get back to my victories on Nemiroff, I’d like to highlight winning with John Brzenk. I faced him three times: he beat me easily in 2006, I did a little better with him in 2010, and I beat him easily in 2012. I also remember well beating Lamparella, when I gained advantage with open hand. I fondly recall winning with “Cobra”, Tim Bresnan and blocking Todd Hutchings’ best move.

Which contestants would you like to watch fight each other in Nemiroff?

Zoloyev – Hutchings. They have 1-1 in wins against each other, it’s time to settle the score. Matyushenko – Krasimir, I think those two have a lot to say to one another. Semerenko – Zhoh – will there be a rematch?

Cyplenkov is definitely a favorite in the upcoming tournament. Can anyone stand up to him?

Denis is a monster, but besides his phenomenal strength he also has an asset called Razmadze Kote. It is he who makes Denis’s progress as fast as it’s possible. If you don’t agree with me, look at Denis’s bouts from four years ago and observe the difference. Denis has a rival – Andrey Pushkar. I know it’s easier to speak of fighting Denis than actually fighting with him, but only Andrey stands a chance.

Cyplenkov – Larrat armfight is coming next year. How do you see the outcome?

There’s still a lot of time, so it’s hard to make any predictions. It all comes down to both of their levels of preparedness. Larrat has stamina and technical potential, but to fight Denis he’ll have to put on some weight. Can he do that without losing some of his stamina? Denis is my favorite, but I wouldn’t underestimate Larratt. Winning this fight is Devon’s dream.

Do you have any special rituals that you perform before a fight?

Well, I don’t rub my nose with onions or walk on broken glass. I do the same as everyone – get on a train, get accommodated, weighed, summon my courage for the fight. You can’t fool your own self. If you’re ready, then you don’t need rituals. If you are not ready, no ritual can help you.

Artur Grigorjan