Farid, tell us about your pkans for the future. Which competition will you go to?

I have no plans for now, my business is the most important thing for me. I do want to go to the World Championships. I'm curious about the TOP16. Nemiroff is coming in the fall, I 'll try to go if I find time. I have an invite to the A1, but I don't think I'll have time, because of my work. Last time I left for four days, the business went into a standstill.

Tell us, who's missing in your category?

A serious rival is Andrey Pushkar. He's really strong. Alexey Semerenko is also a great opponent, but no comparison to Andrey.

Have you fought him this year in Moscow?

Yes, we fought in Lotoshino. He said he fought in an army contest before and he was tired. If we had an armfight now, I think I'd win.

There mught be a chance for that – what do you think, left or right arm?

My right arm is injured, I don't think I'll be using it soon. With Semerenko, of course, I'd like to fight in left arm, that would be interesting.

You fought him in Jalta in 2006 …

Oh yeah, that was a spectacular fight!

How would you comment the first two fights – was Alexey too strong or were you unable to cope?

Yeah, he was in great shape back then. It was all I could do to just hold him. And I did, I won.

So strength?

Yeah, strength and stamina.

Do you think an armfight can establish who's the strongest? Better a single bout or an armfight?

I think an armfight is better, 5 or 6 rounds. A lot of time to show who's who. First you go over the top, then biceps, and then you go with the flow, find your own way.

Classification – strong and weak points?

Drawing is a bad idea. If I pull Denis first, then in second fight I don't stand a chance, if I pull Pushkar or Larratt for example. If I get weak opponents, you can be certain to get into finals or semifinals. In an armfight – you need to prepare yourself for one oppponent only.

Igor Mazurenko