02.05.07 – Former European super-middleweight champion Mads Larsen (45-2, 37 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time in over three-and-a-half years on May 8 when he takes on Russia´s Vasily Andriyanov in Spain. Boxen.com, Sauerland Event´s German internet portal, has caught up with the 34-year-old Dane who is thrilled to be back in action..
Q: Mads, it´s been a while since you´ve last fought. Are you starting to get a little nervous?
ML: A little? I am really nervous but I guess that´s quite normal after such a long break. I hope it doesn´t get worse in the next days, though.
Q: When did you start your preparation for this fight? Is everything going according to plan?
ML: I´ve stayed in shape. The special training for a fight in May started back in February. All in all everything went very well. Due to the hard training I was very tired last week but it´s getting better now.
Q: For the first time in your career you´ve been working with your new coach Ulli Wegner. What´s different?
ML: This has certainly been a whole new experience for me. Of course training has been different. And some other things have changed compared to my time in Denmark, too. The environment in Berlin was new – unlike in Denmark, I did not know my new colleagues. I have found new friends. And I had to get used to the German language. But at the end of the day boxing is boxing – that´s what it is all about.
Q: How about your German language skills?
ML: I´ve learned bits and pieces. At the moment it´s easier to understand German than actually speak it. I still forget a few words every now and then but generally I´m fine.
Q: Where do you live? Do you´ve got an apartment in Berlin?
ML: Yes, I found a very nice apartment in Berlin. But my girlfriend and my son still reside in Denmark.
Q: One of your biggest triumphs was the victory over European champion Danilo Haeussler back in October 2003. What about your shape these days?
ML: It is my aim to be even better than I was before. I would not be working so hard if I didn´t believe this was possible for me. But you have to wait and see whether I can carry over the training shape into the ring. However, I do believe that I will be a better fighter than I was before.
Q: What do you know about your opponent Vasily Andriyanov (7-12, 1 KO)?
ML: I don´t know too much about him. I haven´t seen him on tape yet. He has 19 bouts under his belt and has fought strong opponents. He´s never been stopped yet.