Status: IBF #1 heavyweight contender must face champion Wladimir Klitschko by September 13, 2010.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 230
DOB: September 2, 1979 In: Kursk, Russia
Record: 18-0, 13 KO’s.
First Boxing Memory: “Difficult trainings (age 13).”
Nicknames: Sasha, White Lion, Knight, Tsar.
Boxing Inspiration: “Never give up and always respect the opponent.”
Favorite All-Time Fighter: “Tyson – very bright, very sensational manner of boxing.”
Favorite Fights: “Ali-Frazier – a few of their fights were very interesting.”
Pre-fight Meal: “General food.”
What Do You Do To Relax: “I never feel stressed (laughs).”
Typical Breakfast: “Rice porridge, curd, sometimes eggs.”
Toughest Part Of Being A Successful Boxer:: “Trainings and keeping a good shape all the time.”
Favorite Music: “I do not think you know many Russian bands and singers, my favorite one is
Gwen Stefani – Don’t speak, Madonna – especially early albums, Modern Talking.”
Last Book Read: “War and Peace by Tolstoy.”
Current Car: “I can drive any, now I drive the one that looks like a boxing glove – Infiniti Sport FX-35.”
Favorite Movie: “Gladiator, Brigada, Boomer, Fight With A Shadow.”
Training Routine: “The same things as everyone does, but with maximum efforts.”
Toughest Opponent: “It is not the one, who is strong in body. It is one who is strong in soul. For example, Valery Belov – my trainer.”
What Would You Be If Not A Boxer: “Not sure. Maybe I would be a car racer.”
Last Vacation: “Dominican Republic.”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “I watch usually only soccer championship of the world. I support Russians and wish they finally start to
win. I just like good games with professional and clever players, and enjoy watching nice football, but I do not support any particular
club.”
Greatest Moment of Career: “Olympics (won super heavyweight gold by walkover vs. Egypt’s Mohamed Aly in Athens, Greece in
2004).”
Most Painful Moment: “The boxer does not feel pain. The boxer feels pleasures!”
Funny Boxing Memory: “Before my professional bouts my trainer worries. Once he asked me to put on a mask as he forgot I turned to
pro long time ago [smiles]. Lots of stories like this.”
Embarrassing Boxing Memory: “To make excuse in front of my trainer – I am very embarrassed when I am late for the training. But
this is only the excuse. In fact I am not embarrassed [smiles].”
Favorite Meal: “Varenik with curd.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
First Job: “I am a life time student.”
Pre-Fight Feeling/Mindset: “I am thinking about my victory and setting up myself for a tough fight.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty and kindness.”
Family: Wife, Irina; daughter Arina.
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