Boxer Sergey Kovalev: ''I was in the republic once, in Naberezhnye Chelny when I drove my car''

Exclusive interview of Realnoe Vremya with the legendary boxer – Krusher

These days Moscow hosted a presentation of the book and autobiography of famous Russian boxer Sergey Kovalev (nicknamed Krusher). In his tight schedule, the athlete made the time and answered questions of Realnoe Vremya. In the interview. Krusher told about the book, uneasy road to the sports Olymp and Tatar friends.

Sergey, what is your book about?

It is about how I started my sports career. This road was quite uneasy. Nevertheless, I managed to tell everything in a clear way, so that any reader will be able to understand the life of a boxer or almost everything.

The book has become frank to some degree. It is about me and drugs. I advise you just to read it.

''Nevertheless, I managed to tell everything in a clear way, so that any reader will be able to understand the life of a boxer or almost everything.'' Photo: gazeta.ru

How long did you write the book?

We started to work with sports journalist Alexander Belenky in April. We needed to finish it by the end of August. Meanwhile, I had training sessions, moves, travels, preparation for the fight against Chilemba. We did it the following way – I recorded my voice, sent it to Alexander who put everything in order.

My book is aimed at the young, those people who are doubtful about themselves. Probably they will gain new strength, power. At times there are victories, defeats also take place. You need to stand up and move forward after defeat.

I am a person who dreamt a lot and thought that not much would come true. But many things become successful if you work hard. Not everything, but many things.

It is said you found it difficult to start your professional career in the USA. Is it true?

I needed to show myself, my possibilities and abilities. I demonstrated them and I was in demand. Initially, there were certain financial problems that were solved as time went by. In general, I would like to note that many Russian benefactors help and support athletes, artists. For example, for me, the support of Russian benefactor Sergey Kozubenko who helps with conserving the Russian culture was very important. He did a lot for his country.

''I needed to show myself, my possibilities and abilities. I demonstrated them and I was in demand.'' Photo: box-yfo.ru

Have you ever been in Tatarstan?

I was in the republic once, in Naberezhnye Chelny when I drove my car. But I have not been in Kazan yet. People say it is a very beautiful, historical and sports city. I will certainly visit it.

I grew up in Chelyabinsk Oblast. There are many Tatars and Bashkirs there. I had a lot of representatives of this and other nationalities. Sport doesn't accept the division into nationalities or something like that. And our country is united and multinational.

Realnoe Vremya online newspaper
Reference

Sergey Kovalevis a Russian professional boxer who competes in light heavyweight category nicknamed Krusher.

  • 2005 Russian Championships gold medalist at middleweight (amateur)
  • 2005 World Military Championships gold medalist at light heavyweight
  • World Light Heavyweight champion (WBA super, 2014—2016; IBF, 2014—2016; WBO, 2013—2016)
  • Winner of WBC Diamond Light Heavyweight title (2015)
  • Fighter of the year by The Ring, WBO, Sports Illustrated, USA Today (2014).
  • International Master of Sport of Russia
  • Leader of the rating of best light heavyweight boxers by The Ring (2015—2016)
  • Founder of Krusher Promotion
  • Runner-up of Pound for Pound by the Ring (2015)
  • Best Russian professional boxer by BoxRec
  • Born on 2 April 1983 in Kopeisk, Chelyabinsk Oblast
  • Debuted in the Russian Junior Championships in 1997 and became the winner
  • Started his career of professional boxer in the USA in 2009. He confidently knocked out his rivals in the first and second rounds in the first nine fights.