Three weeks ago “World Sport” spread information based on promoting company “Elite Boxing Promotion”, according to it Avtandil Khurtsidze professional Georgian boxer who has the highest rating among others will hold fight in Tbilisi. He will fight against Giovanni Lorenzo of Dominic Republic on March 12. Elite Boxing Promotion chose the place of fight.
Since December there was not said and written about Georgian, yesterday “World Sport” took an interview from him about his future plans and news.
- The date and place of your next fight was named in December. Has anything been changed?
- In case of change it would be announced. I know that I have to fight against Jovanny Lorenzo in Sport Palace of Tbilisi in March.
- Was it your idea to hold match in Georgia?
- I always had strong wish of it and finally it is possible. Promoting Company made good present to me. The leadership of this company, whom I cooperate, have decided to hold this match in Tbilisi and now they are preparing for this.
- Whom do they have negotiations in Georgia?
- I cannot say anything, because I am not interesting in it and they also avoid talk about all details. My duty is to train and prepare well for this fight.
- Have you already started preparing?
- I start preparing on January 15. I will have training for two weeks in Crimea and then I will return in Kiev. I will continue working on tactic in Kiev. Mo promoters will bring sparring partner for me too.
- Have you already watched fights of Lorenzo?
- I have watched fight of Felix Sturm and I assured that Dominican sportsman is very strong sportsman. I think he is the best whom I ever met before. He is attack-style sportsman and he wins most matches with knock-out. Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam also considered such sportsman, but everyone say how he competed against me.
- Your promoters complained the result of that match. Have they succeeded?
- They proved that we were right. They showed everyone that several rounds finished earlier. Some other unjust things of referees also found out and the leadership of boxing society set ultimatum to Hasan at the meeting which was held in Mexico. According to ultimatum, he has to defend belt in the city which would be chosen by us or this belt would announce vacant. The next fight he has to fight against World Champion Genady Golovkini, as for me I will fight for champions’ belt in March, which I had to win last year.
- Before your fight against Lorenzo several fights are expected to be held in Sport Palace.
- Of course, there will be held 7-8 matches. Georgian sportsmen also will participate in it supposedly. Some of the matches will be broadcasted in several countries, among them in Ukraine too. Legendary boxers Michael Tyson and Roy Jons will be invited in Tbilisi. I will do my best for making glad Georgian fans. 30-year-old Jovanny Lorenzo has held 32 matches. He won 29 matches and lost 3 ones. According to WBA and IBF he is ex-candidate of World Championship. He held last match against Felix Strum and lost in spite of strong resistance.
30-year-old Avtandil Khurtsidze competes professional boxing in 2004. He has never held matc in Georgia. He won 22 matches and lost only 2 ones. But the second lose was very suspicious.
Lorenzo has the highest rating and according to IBF he is on the 5th place. He is on the 7th place in WBA and WBO and on the 11st place in WBC. Khurstidze is on the 3rd place in WBA and on the 8th in WBO.
Otar Maglakelidze
