GL: What's going on Vassiliy? How's everything been going? "Everything has been perfect KGB. I've been putting in a lot of work and I'm just ready to do my job and kick some butt on Thursday night."

GL: Can you give us some of your thoughts on Michael Moorer?

Vassiliy Jirov: "He's a former world champion with a lot of experience at heavyweight. He's dangerous and I need to bring my best to win this fight. I've trained to make sure I'll be at my best when I get in the ring."

GL: Obviously this isn't the same Michael Moorer that beat Evander Holyfield. Is it difficult to get up for someone like Moorer, who although he has a lot of experience, his best days are clearly behind him, on top of that his conditioning program doesn't seem to be among the best out there?

VJ: "It's no problem for me KGB because I train hard all the time. For all my fights I do the same thing, I work a lot and I work hard. I'm can't think about what he's doing or how he's coming in, I just work, work, work.

GL: Were you hoping to return to the ring against a rated contender or someone who may pose a tougher fight?

VJ: "You ask me who I want to fight, I want the best. Right now we're getting ready to fight Michael Moorer and after that it's going to be something big for sure. Be patient and you will see."

GL: After a nine month layoff, will a fight like this help you shake the rust off?

VJ: "I don't feel rusty, I'm in the gym everyday and everyday I'm working hard. I'm taking this fight very serious and I think it's going to be a good performance for me."

GL: Goossen-Tutor Promotions is promoting this event, GTP has promoted several of your fights since the James Toney fight. Are you hoping that fighting on all of these GTP show leads to a rematch with Toney?

VJ: "A rematch is something that I want. After we fought he went up to heavyweight and I think the rematch would be a much better for me at heavyweight, I feel like a really strong heavyweight right now. We'll see though, it's something we've talked about so we have to wait and see what happens."

GL: IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd will be on hand for this fight is that something....

VJ: "Now we're talking KGB, that's the fight I want. I just saw Chris a little while ago, and because he's not such a big heavyweight, we're about the same weight, I think that would be great, great fight for boxing. I've talked to my people and I'm hoping we can get something done with Byrd really soon."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

VJ: "I'm baaack, so tune into to this fight. I'm going to kick some butt!"

 

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