The Russian completed a special training camp ahead of his fight with “Master”

On October 5 in Moscow, one of the most intriguing fights on a card headlined by the bout between Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51 KO) and Alexander Povetkin (26-0, 18 KO) will take place. Mateusz Masternak (30-0, 22 KO) and Grigory Drozd (36-1, 25 KO) will meet for the European cruiserweight title (EBU). The Pole is defending the belt.

For the Russian, this will be an opportunity to return to the spotlight. Seven years ago, his career stalled after a surprise defeat to Firat Arslan.

“Throughout my career, I had never prepared for fights in any particularly special way. Before every bout, I worked hard and subordinated everything to training. I treated every fight as if it were the most important of my life. This time, however, things were different. We spent an entire month in the mountains. In peace and quiet, we were able to build a well-coordinated team of trainers, doctors and masseurs. We completed all our tasks. Everything was buttoned up to the last detail,” Drozd said when asked about his preparations.

The Russian admitted that facing the undefeated “Master” could have enormous significance for the rest of his career. It may even be the most important fight of his life.

“That will certainly be the case. Appearing on a card where Povetkin and Klitschko will meet in the main event is itself a great honor. The fight with Masternak will test my abilities. It is not only about the European title. Most important is that I will face an undefeated opponent who has already achieved significant success,” Drozd stressed.

Journalists tried to place the Masternak-Drozd fight in the context of the recent Polish-Russian bouts: Povetkin–Wawrzyk and Włodarczyk–Chakhkiev. The title challenger, however, does not attach much importance to that.

“I read about it on the internet, but I have to disappoint some people. I have a simple philosophy: there are always two boxers in the ring. It does not matter which countries they come from. For me, the most important things are victory and the style in which it is achieved,” the European title challenger concluded.