Głazkow ahead of rematch: I must beat Adamek first
We should have known the result of the Tomasz Adamek – Wiaczesław Głazkow fight three months ago. However, the Pole’s illness meant he could not risk entering the ring. The Ukrainian, a bronze medalist at the Beijing Olympics, is pleased that before facing “The Highlander” he was able to gain more experience in his bout with Garrett Wilson. The 29-year-old from Luhansk also tells us about his earlier clashes with Polish fighters, the successes of Ukrainian boxing, and his former national-team teammates – Vasyl Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk. After winning Olympic gold medals, both recently began their march toward the top of professional boxing.
- How is your second attempt at the fight with Tomasz Adamek, scheduled for March 15 in Bethlehem, USA, going?
Wiaczesław Głazkow: I feel very good and everything is going according to plan. I am not in peak form yet, but I should not be at this stage. In January, I went to a training camp in Samara. I returned to Luhansk two weeks ago, and soon I will fly to the United States with my trainer, Eduard Mienczakow.
- Were you very disappointed when, several dozen hours before the fight, it turned out that Adamek would not compete because of illness?
WG: Nothing major happened because a replacement was found quickly. I fought ten rounds with Garrett Wilson. The preparations did not go to waste: I improved several aspects of my boxing and gained valuable experience. It will certainly help me against a fighter as experienced as Adamek. The more fights I have behind me, the less demanding the bout with the Pole may be. On March 15, we will give the fans a good show. I think the fight will take place this time (laughs).
- Second place in the IBF rankings will be at stake. Adamek has long said that after a victory he would want to become the mandatory challenger and then face Władymir Kliczko. Is your plan similar?
WG: At the moment, I am interested exclusively in Adamek. I am not looking ahead to subsequent fights, because that could only hurt me. A great deal will depend on the result of our bout, including in the context of a world-title fight. If I win, broad prospects will open up for me. However, it is still too early to talk about a fight with Kliczko.
- In amateur boxing, did you have to face Polish fighters?
WG: Yes, although to be honest, they were not the most important fights of my career. I do not recall any particularly difficult bouts against Poles. Perhaps I stopped them all inside the distance. I do not remember the names. During the years when I competed as an amateur, Poland probably did not have any strong fighters in the super-heavyweight division. Nevertheless, I have good memories of your country. I often came to Poland, and I visited Warsaw several times. I even won a bronze medal there at the European Youth Championships. Poland is our neighbor, and the Polish people are friendly. Even our languages are similar.
- In 2008, you won Olympic bronze, and a year earlier you took silver at the World Championships. Your achievements are only part of Ukraine’s success in recent years. What accounts for the high level of amateur boxing in your country?
WG: I think historical factors are very important. Ukraine was once part of the Soviet Union and has always been able to boast champions trained in the Soviet school of boxing. Soviet coaches even trained Cubans at one time. Great traditions are still alive in Ukraine. Experienced coaches who worked back in the USSR passed their knowledge on to younger trainers, and they continue to do so. We have many specialists in the country.
- Poland also has rich traditions, but we have been waiting for an Olympic medal by one of our boxers since 1992. At the last Olympics, apart from female boxer Karolina Michalczuk, no Pole qualified. Can Ukrainian athletes count on state support?
WG: I would not say they always can. Not everything is good here either. Substantial support tends to go to individual athletes who attract the interest of a businessman or politician. For example, it was only after the London Olympics that the gold medalists received cars and apartments.
- Perhaps at least coaches earn decent money, unlike trainers in Poland?
WG: If I said they received decent wages, I would have to bite my tongue. Coaches earn not merely poorly, but extremely poorly. Some could not even support themselves, let alone a family. It is an ungrateful job. Everything is based on enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to boxing traditions.
- On March 1, Vasyl Lomachenko, the Beijing and London Olympic champion, will face Orlando Salido for the WBO featherweight title. Will he win the belt in only his second professional fight and set a record?
WG: Vasya was my teammate on the national team. We competed together in Beijing. I know how he trains. He has an excellent coach in the person of his father, Anatoly Lomachenko. They make a great, well-coordinated team. I will not be surprised if Vasya beats Salido. In fact, I am convinced that is exactly what will happen.
- Your other teammate, London gold medalist Oleksandr Usyk, is aiming for a different record. He wants to surpass Evander Holyfield and become cruiserweight champion before his 12th professional fight.
WG: His great talent certainly makes that possible, although a lot will depend on the promoters. Sasha will do everything to achieve his goal. If he gets the chance to fight for the title at a record pace, he will probably take advantage of it. After all, he is an Olympic champion, and that speaks for itself.
- What do you think of the idea of Władymir Kliczko competing at the 2016 Olympics? Some people say he would take a spot away from younger athletes.
WG: It is difficult for me to judge, because for now these are only discussions and no concrete decisions have been made. Perhaps it is merely a PR move intended to create another media story around Władymir. Let us wait for specifics.
- Could fighting over three rounds cause Kliczko problems?
WG: It is possible. Switching from twelve rounds to three would not be easy. In professional boxing, you sometimes spend the first three rounds just warming up, and only afterward begin the real work.
Interview by: Przemysław Osiak, przegladsportowy.pl
