GL: Boxingtalk recently reported that Sauerland won the purse-bid for your elimination bout with former WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev. Can you give us some thoughts on the fight now that it's official? "I'm actually very happy right now.  I'm staying focused and it will be a great fight."

GL:  Nikolay Valuev obviously has about sixty or seventy pounds on you, he has several inches on you, he's seven feet tall.  How are you going to overcome these physical disadvantages?

Sergei Liakhovich:  It's just like I said many times, it depends on how you use it.  His advantages will be turned against him.

GL:  Does the fact that you haven't fought in a long time concern you coming into this fight, especially since he's already had a tune-up fight?

SL:  I'm okay, I've stayed in the gym this whole time.  I've trained, I've sparred, so I'm going to be okay. 

GL:  Who are some of the guys you're planning on getting to spar with in preparation?  Maybe Jameel McCline, tall guys obviously. 

SL:  We haven't decided yet, but definitely tall guys. 

GL:  Basketball players.

SL:  (laughs) Yes.

GL:  Do you view this fight with Valuev as do or die, in terms of, if you don't win, it could be very difficult to get back to where you want to go, which is the title?

SL:  First of all, I want you to know, I don't think about losing.  I don't think about losing, I just think it will be a very important fight in my career.  I'm focused right now like I've never been focused before.  I'm just focused to win.

GL:  Against Shannon Briggs, after the fight, you were speaking on various things that you were going through before the fight.  You spoke of a rib injury, and a lot of things that prevented you from performing at your best.  Do you feel that we are going to see a big difference in the way you perform, compared to the Briggs fight, with this fight?

SL:  Yes, absolutely.  This is not like anything in the past.  I'm looking forward to giving my 110%.  It will be a totally different Sergei "The Horse" than ever before.

GL:  Do you have a prediction for the fight?

SL:  Like I said I don't want to make any predictions, boxing is boxing.  I'm very focused and taking this fight very seriously.  I'm focused on how to beat this guy. 

GL:  Give us some closing thoughts for the fans.

SL:  Thank you to all my fans who supported me.  Thanks to God for another opportunity.  I'd also like to thank my wife, my manager, thank you Don King, and everybody who supported me. 

 

M

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