Q&A: Yuri Nuzhnenko!

Among approximately 70 world champions in 17 weight classes (considering WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts as major titles and not counting a great deal of lesser regalia) 31-year old Ukrainian stylist Yuri Nuzhnenko is one of the best kept secrets. But competing in deeply-talented welterweight division along with P4P stalwarts Floyd Maywether and Miguel Cotto and a big bunch of other boxing stars, dangerous titlists and bright prospects, the WBA interim champion cannot afford stay out of focus for a considerable amount of time. Assuming Miguel Cotto’s possible departure as a WBA champion in favor of bigger fights, the Kiev native may soon be able to drop his ‘interim’ prefix and find himself in one company with the reigning WBC, IBF and WBO beltholders.

Nuzhnenko acquired his title last December with a hard-fought but well-received unanimous decision over French veteran Frederic Klose. This Saturday he will make an initial optional defense of the belt against Puerto-Rican WBA #15 Irving Garcia at Sports Palace, Kiev, in front of the home crowd.

Yuri was first slated to face far more experienced Mexican journeyman Cosme Rivera but that fight was scratched for good after Rivera was tested positive on illegal substance after his victory over Raul Pinzon this February. This interview with one of five reigning Ukrainian champions was performed in the midst of last week when Rivera still was an opponent for Nuzhnenko.

Your battle with Rivera will become an outstanding event in Ukrainian boxing history, the first ever title match in more than fifteen years. What does it mean for you?

Taking part in such a significant evening is an honor for me. I realize that fighting at home is always an additional pressure for the fighter and I’m not an exception. I’m preparing seriously for each fight, though, and this one will not be something different. Moreover I have been training for my first title defense with much more desire and concentration than usual. The reason is simple: our national pride and honor are at stake and it motivates me even greater.

Was your training successful? Have you changed anything in your regimen and training schedule?

No significant changes have been made. I have been preparing for Rivera fight basically as usual which is not surprising as my training system is well adjusted to different types of opponents and plays out perfectly. The only feature was that we have been training personally for Cosme Rivera. The fight plan is unique and so can be said about our choice of sparring partners, who were selected to resemble the Mexican’s style and physical abilities. The preparation has been excellent to this point. One more sparring and it’ll be over. I’m in optimal condition.

Have you seen ‘El Chino’ tapes?

I’ve investigated his fights with Zab Judah, Andre Berto and his last outing versus Raul Pinzon.

What is your take on Rivera? Are any highs and lows worth noting?

Cosme is an ultimately experienced and rugged fighter who has participated in more than twenty minor title fights. He fought Zab Judah for the undisputed welterweight crown. He fiercely tested young guns Andre Berto and Jair Julio, destroyed Hercules Kyvelos and delivered helluva problems to Diosbelys Hurtado. ‘El Chino’ is an awkward lanky fighter with a good reach and proven chin. He is tough but like every other boxer in the world, he does have some weaknesses. I and my coach Alexander Polischuk have studied them but I’ll not reveal them in this interview and will keep them in secret for next Saturday. Rivera is known to be very awkward for his rivals but I tend to be even more inconvenient for him than he is for me. I have no doubt in who will be the winner of our match. Me.

After the victory over Klose you said that you wanted to drop the ‘interim’ prefix from your title. That means fighting WBA champion and P4P stalwart Miguel Cotto. Is there any progress in negotiations with the Puerto-Rican star and his camp?

Being an interim WBA welterweight champion I am an obligatory challenger for Miguel Cotto at this moment. Miguel is due to face me by the end of this year or he will be stripped of title, right? Anyway all my thoughts are about Rivera now and I don’t want to look past the Mexican warrior. ‘One fight at a time’ is my motto.

Don’t you view your fight with Rivera as a part of preparation for the Cotto fight?

Of course, Rivera and Cotto aren’t similar in terms of styles. In fact they are fighting in quite a different mode. However, they have much in common as well: they are both Latin fighters, both are strong-willed and determined with dynamite in both hands, and they are both rather heavy for this weight class. I hope my fight with the Mexican will be a good school prior taking on Cotto.

You have twice underlined you are a mandatory for Cotto. What forces you to fight an unheralded fighter in Rivera instead of sit and wait for cash cow in Miguel? If you lose there will be no Cotto, no money and no fame. Is it worth the risk?

Risk is what pugilism is all about. If you are a fighter, you need to take risks and you will be forced to do it. Moreover, I have to wait until autumn for Cotto and that is too long for me to just sit and wait. I need to be in tune. I need to fight often. If I’m fighting rarely I become rusty.

Yuri, we wish you all the best in your next match. Please, speak to your fans in closing.

Thanks a lot for the kind wishes. I want to thank my fans for their steady support and belief throughout my whole career. This factor cannot be overestimated considering the fact that I’m still undefeated and a champion now. They motivated me and made me fight on the edge of my abilities each time I’m inside the ring. I also wish to invite everybody to the Sports Palace in Kiev and I ensure you that you’ll be fully satisfied with the outcome!

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