Status: WBA Super Welterweight champion. His record is 28-0 (8 KO’s).
Ht: 5-11 1/2 Wt: 154
DOB: August 5, 1980 In: Belarus
Boxing Inspirations: “When I was a kid I think Mike Tyson was inspirational because of his power. I saw his fights when I was a kid. I was inspired to do the same thing.”
First Boxing Memory: “I started from age seven to about ten. And then emigrated to Israel and then resume when I was 15 to present. I remember walking up in the boxing gym when I was a kid. I was fascinated, it was back in Belarus. That for me was impressive.”
Favorite Movies: “I have so many. Gladiator. Tin Drum. Memento. Usual Suspects. Casino Royale. Hero. Ikiru. LA Confidential. I have a lot. I love movies. And tonight I’m going to see a movie. I already got my ticket! 7:30 [laughs].”
Last Book Read: “Exploration of the Torah – Ari Kahn.”
Favorite TV Show: “Family Guy.”
Musical Tastes: “I like heavy rock, like Pantera, Metallica, and many, many more. I like classic music – Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff.”
First Car: “Sometime subway, sometime cabs [smiles].”
All-Time Favorite Boxer: “Good question…Mike Tyson. Ali.”
Favorite Fights: “It would be probably Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Or Mike Tyson and Trevor Berbick.”
Pre-Fight Meal: “Pasta, lots of carbs, maybe baked potato, meat. And loading on carbs.”
Typical Breakfast: “Some oatmeal with sliced almond, maybe blueberries on top. Coffee – espresso – a lot [smiles].”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the WBA world title (W12 Daniel Santos).”
Toughest Opponent: “I had a tough fight with Anthony Thompson. I had tough fight with Andrey Tsurkan. I think it’s the one is gonna be in the future. Hopefully it won’t be this next fight, but if it is, I’m ready.”
Toughest Part About Boxing: “The mental pressure. It’s kind of a pressure. It’s something like, you’re going to sleep and then you kind of imagining opponents, you fight, how it’s gonna be. It’s like you’re trying to do it and wrestle with it.”
Training Base: “I train in Gleason’s Gym. And sometimes in Paterson, NJ at Joe Grier Boxing.”
Training Routine: “High intensity, whatever I do. It’s about 90 minutes training, one minute on the break and high intensity, whatever it is – shadowboxing, jump rope, hitting bag, pads or sparring. So it’s gotta keep the intensity going all the time. No walking around.”
Nutritional Supplements: “Vitamins, magnesium, calcium, fish oil, multi-vitamins, vitamin C. My wife, every morning, gives me, like, take this. And I’m not even asking.”
What Would You Be If Not A Boxer: “Maybe a comedian or actor. Maybe [smiles]. I will try myself at that, first. If it’s falling through I will try myself at comedian. If not that, I don’t know. Something else. Not the musician.”
Last Vacation: “Florida, Miami.”
Best Boxer In The Sport Today: “Pacquiao.”
Family: Wife, Leyla.
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