NG: Vendetta with Michael Todd is coming soon, tell me something about him. Michael beat famous guys like Andrey Pushkar and Denis Tsyplenkov. How do you think your armfight will go?

ST: Preparations are under way full steam, but as usual everything will become clear at the table. I am preparing some surprises but we’ll see what happens. Believe me, I will come better prepared than before. Liliev was supposed to fight then, I was called up two weeks before the fight. This time you’ll see a different Tokarev.

NG: If you weren’t fighting Todd, who would you like to fight instead?

ST: Lupkes, Larratt, Bresnan, Cadorette, Hutchings and many more. Just as long as my arms don’t quit.

NG: Many people disagree that Pushkar is number one in left and right arm nowadays. What is your opinion?

ST: Andrey is in great shape, he is working on his technique, he has developed physically. He just has to work on his stamina and not many will could face him!

NG: What do you think the return of Alex Voevoda will be like? Will he win with Bresnan?

ST: I’m always rooting for the old guard. I think that the more personalities, the better fights, more tension and rivalry, everyone wins this way. I wish Alex a great return.

NG: You were entered into Ukrainian Championships, but you didn’t come. Many people would like to know if you would be returning to amateur Ukrainians, Europeans and Worlds?

ST: I haven’t come because of my work. I wanted to fight very much and I think I will be returning yet.

NG: What do you think of your performance at the last A1? You placed fifth in left arm in your category, third in OPEN. Were you happy with the draw? How did you regain strength after failing in your category and come third in OPEN?

ST: Left and right are different arms and different experiences. In my category I spared my arms as much as I could. OPEN was priority to me. I did worse in right because I beat a couple of good guys and an old injury has returned. I tried more angles and technique, you be the judges of how I did.

NG: Are you preparing for Zloty Tur?

ST: Of course. I just heard the Professionals’ World Cup is going to have a different name. I’ll try to be in top shape.

Nastena Gonczarenko