15.03.07 – By James Slater: The world is in agreement right now when it comes to who the best heavyweight is today. That man is “Dr. Steel Hammer,” Wladimir Klitschko. Fresh of his quick destruction of Ray Austin at the weekend, Wladimir very kindly gave this writer an interview over the phone from his headquarters in Germany. Here is what the thirty year old big man had to say.
James Slater: Firstly, Wladimir, I want to thank you for speaking to me. Congratulations on the quick win on Saturday. Did you always think you’d get a quick KO?
Wladimir Klitschko: What happened, happened. I just felt very motivated after all the hot air that came from Austin. All the stuff about my chin, my balls, my heart. I was well prepared and looking forward very much to getting in the ring to make a short process with Austin. I never plan any round , when it’s going to happen, I just look for the opportunity (to get the KO) and that’s what I do in every fight and when I see it I take it.
J.S: Your left hook was great. Why did you concentrate so much on the left and not use the right at all?
Wladimir Klitschko: Because the left worked on Austin (laughs) I didn’t need to use my right hand.
J.S: Have you been working on the left hand with Emanuel Steward?
Wladimir Klitschko: You know what, not particularly. From each fight, and with each opponent it is every time different. It depends on position, of the opponent and by the movements he does and by his style. So the left hook was just there (in the Austin fight) I didn’t even think about it. It depends on the night, if you see it, you throw it.
J.S: I must say, it’s quite rare for a guy to win a heavyweight title fight with only one hand. Do you feel as though you’re at your peak now Wladimir?
Wladimir Klitschko: No, No, No. That’s still very far away. I just want to tell you that, I’m not at my peak yet. I’m on my way, but there’s a lot of work to accomplish yet. Especially I’m looking forward to getting a unification fight. Last year I was working very hard on it (a unification) but thanks to Don King, who was throwing so much hot air, it never came. There are many politicians in the sport of boxing, so you have to get a deal. But I believe the most effective of all the other champions (at getting good negotiations) is Nikolai Valuev. He has two promoters. It’s not easy to handle two promoters, he has his German promoter and he has Don King, so it is a very difficult job. Anyway, I hope we can make the fight. Enough of talking,
let’s get it!
J.S: You’d be very confident going in with Valuev?
Wladimir Klitschko: Oh, yes. I’m looking forward to getting that fight. His height is not really a problem. Yes, he’s an unorthodox fighter and he’s the biggest dude in history! (laughs). Can you imagine how difficult it is finding sparring partners for a fight with him? It’s impossible. So that can be difficult. And it’s also not going to be easy fighting him because of his body size. But there are other things that make such a big guy weak. I don’t want to talk about those things because I want to use them in the ring. But I respect Valuev, he has never lost a fight. He is a champion and I do respect Nikolai for everything he has accomplished.
J.S: Do you think he is the toughest fight out there for you right now?
Wladimir Klitschko: Hmm, I can’t tell you right now if he’s the toughest guy or not. You only recognize that in the ring when you fight a guy. But I think Nikolai is one of the strongest men fighting. He’s unorthodox too, because he is undefeated. I definitely think he is more attractive (to fight) than the other champions.
J.S: Is there anyone else in particular you’d like to fight? I know Shannon Briggs has called you out.
Wladimir Klitschko: Pretty soon I will come up with a name. But I don’t want to…er … Well, let’s put it this way, I’m looking forward to unifying the titles. If it’s Valuev, Briggs or Maskaev, it doesn’t matter to me who the champions are. But will I get it? ( a unification) It’s all about negotiations. But if that’s not the case we’ll see what’s coming up next. I want to stay active, I don’t want to take a long break and wait for the results of Valuev’s next fight and Brigg’s next fight and what happens with Maskaev. It doesn’t make sense for me to wait. I may take a chance, I’ll see who’s my next one (opponent).
J.S: So you want to fight again in the next three to four months?
Wladimir Klitschko: Yes, yes. That’s what I’m looking forward to.
J.S: Can I just talk to you about your big Brother. Do you think Vitali’s decision to come back is a good one?
Wladimir Klitschko: Obviously, first of all it’s important to me the health of my brother. He feels ready to fight now and he’s healthy and that’s what I’m happy about. Of course, Vitali is the only one guy who I don’t want to fight, this is my brother. He’s stronger than me (laughs). We will see how the negotiations go regarding the Maskaev fight. Hopefully the situation with (Sam) Peter will be finished soon and we’ll have a result. But I’m happy about his comeback because we were talking so much about our dream of us both being heavyweight champion at the same time. Vitali is thirty-five now, he retired as champion, he didn’t retire because he lost a fight. He feels healthy ad ready to fight again now, so if we have a chance to
accomplish our goal it makes me happy.
J.S: It would be great to see you both make history that way. When you two spar, who has the edge?
Wladimir Klitschko: Oh, listen. I was always behind. I’m five years younger so I didn’t really have a chance (laughs). As I was saying, I don’t ever want to fight my brother in the ring, it’s the wrong place to find out who’s the stronger one (laughs). But definitely he’s the stronger one.
J.S: Well, I really want to thank you for your time Wladimir. My last question though, is where would you like to be placed in history. Other than you both being champions at the same time, how would you like to be placed in history?
Wladimir Klitschko: Oh, that’s a big question. You know what, I don’t really want to take such a heavy thought in my mind. I believe I’m not so far in my career at thirty years old. I’m just getting in my prime time after ten years of experience. I see a lot more now than before. I’ve never really thought about history. That’s your work guys. I just worry about my performances,
anything else I have no time for it.
J.S: Thank you once again and I wish you the best with the rest of your career.
Wladimir Klitschko: Thank you very much and all the best to you. Bye now.