Q&A: Wladimir Sidorenko!

WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko (21-0-2, 7 KOs) has just finished his training camp for his seventh defense of his title against Panamanian mandatory challenger Anselmo Moreno (21-1-1, 8 KOs) in Düsseldorf, Germany on May 31. It will be the seventh world title defense for the unbeaten "Mini Power-Station," who is currently boxing's longest reigning bantamweight world titlist. He coming off an impressive victory against Nobuto Ikehara in January in Osaka, Japan.Here's what he had to say...

Next up you have the mandatory defence against Anselmo Moreno from Panama in Düsseldorf, Germany at the end of this month. What do you know about him and his style?

He is a good fighter and very quick. That's what I have seen in a video about him. He’s a typical Middle / South American fighter, always ready to fight with no fear, every time going forward and he has got good technical skills and a good variety in his punches.

How is training going?

I have been in training camp with my coach Michael Timm since the beginning of March. Everything is running on schedule and these days we will finish a notable and good sparring with good partners.

In your last fight, you have successfully beaten the Japanese Nobuto Ikehara in January in Osaka, Japan, with an impressive fight. What your review on this fight?

It was a great time in Japan. In my weight division the people over there treated me like a hero. This is different to other parts of the world. After my win, I got so many compliments and offers. I will go back and fight again in the Asian area. There fighters in the lighter weight divisions are real champions and receive a special attention compared to others!

What future goals do you have in boxing?

I want to be world champion for as long as possible and continue to fight for a few more years.

Who would you like to fight if you still the champion after this challenge?

A unification bout with one of the other world champs would be very interesting for me. I am looking forward to these fights and the other belts.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself so we know more about you?

I'm 31 years old, married. (I have) a daughter and a twin brother. I live in the Ukraine. My hobby is hunting. That’s enough?

How did you get into boxing back in the Ukraine?

W.S.: When I was younger, I tried many different sports such as judo for self-defense. Boxing grabbed my attention when a school friend of mine told me about it.

You had a very good amateur career and won a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics. What more can you tell us about you amateur career?

I had about 310 fights with 290 victories.

Do you still live in Ukraine or do you live in Germany?

During preparations for a fight, I live in Hamburg, Germany. Apart from that, in the Ukraine.

Do you have a message for your fans?

I always want to give my best and show a great fight.

* * *

Sidorenko won the title in 2005 against Julio Zarate and has since retained it by defeating Jose de Jesus Lopez and Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym along with two draws with Ricardo Cordoba.

Before turning pro, Sidorenko represented his homeland of Ukraine in the 2000 Summer Olympics where he won a bronze medal as a flyweight along the way by beating current world champions Daniel Ponce De Leon & Omar Narveaz. He was also a two-time European Amateur Boxing Champion in 1998 and 2000 and won a silver medal as a flyweight at the 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships.