by Johnny Walker
Former WBO world heavyweight champion Sergei “The White Wolf” Liakhovich has thrown down the gauntlet to rising Polish star Mariusz “The Viking” Wach.
The 6’8″ tall giant Wach (27-0, 15 KOs) has recently seen a fight with another giant, Michael Grant, fall through, and is looking for a replacement.
Liakhovich (25-5, 16 KOs) says he’s eager to be that man.
Liakhovich has had a tough time of it lately, going 2-4 in his last six fights. Last time out, an off-form Liakhovich took a pounding from American heavyweight Bryant Jennings, and had to retire in the ninth round.
“I took a few months off from boxing and now I’m ready to comeback fresh,” Liakhovich says.
“In my last fight (March 24 loss to Jennings), I made a critical mistake underestimating my opponent. What drives me in this sport is a real challenge. It gives me that fire that all fighters need; the feeling of danger that pushes a fighter to do better.
“I admit not having prepared properly for my last fight. I didn’t even want to spend money for the right sparring partners because I thought it was going to be an easy fight. Unfortunately, I paid the price.
“Now, looking back, I wish I could change that but I can’t. All I can do now is get back in the ring and show everybody what I can really do.”
While Liakhovich hasn’t had a run of inspired form lately–he was also stopped by the hard-punching Robert Helenius in 2011 after putting up a spirited battle–he would still represent a good test for Wach, who hasn’t faced a fighter with the pugilistic pedigree of The White Wolf.
“Wach is saying in the media that he needs an opponent but nobody will fight him,” Liakhovich explains.
“Well, not only am I available, I’m willing to go to Poland and fight him right in his backyard.
“If he honestly believes he’s ready to take on the Klitschkos, first, let him fight somebody like me who has been world champion in order to prove to the boxing world that he deserves a world title fight. Is he a contender or pretender? Let’s find out.
“I understand that I have a lot to prove, to me and my fans, and I’m ready to do just that.
“How about you, Mariusz Wach, are you ready for the toughest fight of your career?”