Interview mit Vitali Klitschko
As word was circulating throughout the boxing community that Hasim Rahman had walked away from the table for discussions on a proposed mega bout with WBC Heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko [Rahman has since decided to go ahead with the fight], the champ remained confident that whoever he fought, he was going to bring excitement to the boxing public.
Breaking training camp in Los Angeles to accept the "Person of the Year" Award from the Ukrainian Institute of America, Vitali would say, "It looks like Rahman. We didn't sign the contract, but very soon we will have information." When pressed further, Vitali (35-2, 34 KO's) said of his backup plan, "Right now we have three people in the division: Rahman, James Toney and Monte Barrett."
Klitschko added all three have been approved by HBO but expected a deal to be signed in a matter of days that would pit him against Rahman on April 30, at New York's Madison Square Garden. Asked about his shape, Klitschko responded, "Right now it's eight-weeks to the fight. I will be in great shape."
A question hinted to his focus and his time spent working on humanitarian causes with his brother Wladimir, Vitali explained, "I have my focus on boxing, but between the boxing we concentrate on working for society, for our country, and many charity projects, and we do invest our hearts in it. It's very important, not just for us but for all people who live in the Ukraine."
Asked about Rahman, Vitali stated matter-of-factly, "Rahman is a very tough fighter, and he's the strongest fighter right now in the heavyweight division, and I don't want to underestimate him, and I don't want to make the same mistake like Lennox Lewis made three years ago." He added, "I expect to be in top performance for all boxing fans who will be at Madison Square Garden" ...
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