ARTHUR ABRAHAM – THERE WILL BE TWO KINGS IN CHICAGO ON OCTOBER 7TH!
EastsideBoxing.com
Oct 2 2006
ESB Exclusive!
02.10.06 – By Izyaslav "Slava" Koza: It has been more than one
week since the breathtaking, spectacular, wonderful and apparently
controversial bout between IBF champ Arthur Abraham and hard punching,
and determined challenger Edison Miranda. In what I can best describe
as a Gatti like performance Arthur Abraham, busted and bloodied,
fought on with a broken jaw to take a unanimous decision over a very
tough and difficult opponent in Miranda.
What amazes me most, however, is not the fact that fans are praising
Abraham for his guts and Miranda for his determination but for the
perceived controversy in that bout. I remember watching Gatti-Ward
1 and seeing, low blows, and fouls, and Cappuccino not stopping the
fight in the 9th , and Ward winning a controversial decision, with
not one fan caring one iota about any of that. Now that people have
watched it on DVD, and replayed all the fouls and close calls over
and over, they can belittle the Abraham on the effort he put in?
I was one of the few Americans to watch the fight live (and rewatch
it the next day), and without the benefit of pause and rewind.
Neumann made some questionable calls, true, and some that on second
look were not correct. However, as I have said, he also made some
questionable no calls in regards to both fighters, such as Abraham’s
holding, as well as Miranda’s early low blows, his rabbit punching
and the shot after the bell.
Keeping that in mind, it’s difficult to attack a guy needing to make
split second decisions in the heat of battle. It is easier to create
another robbery conspiracy and in that sense diminish both guys’
efforts, in my opinion. If it were easy then there would be many more
different referees in championship bouts. Neumann is a ref who always
had problems with calling holding (most notably in Ruiz-Golota), and
ironically while we criticize him for not enforcing this, we also
go off on Nady for being too tough about it. The problem in boxing
is that there is no definition of what exactly, among other things,
excessive holding is, or borderline shots are, which is why we see
such discrepancies. However, this is a discussion for another article,
because my point is all of these controversies do two things.
For one, as I have suggested they take away from the achievement of
both fighters, especially Abraham. Even Edison Miranda showed respect
for the champ in his recent press release and I think maybe we should
all start doing the same. As one of my colleagues on another site said,
whatever opinion you have of the fight, NONE of that has anything
to do with Abraham. He neither filled out those cards, nor made any
calls or no calls that you guys didn’t like. All he did was fight on
with a broken jaw and blood pouring out of his mouth for our mutual
entertainment. Like with Gatti, with Ward with Benn and McLellan that
deserves respect and maybe we should just put down our VCR remotes
or shut down Windows Media player and think about that instead.
Secondly, the fight, one that had not been shown in America has done
something else which is quite significant, and that is gotten fans to
talk about boxing with a passion again. While I feel that Abraham and
Miranda deserve respect, above and beyond any other topic, secondly
whenever some event forces us as fans to start discussing boxing with
a passion, it means that event has been successful. All the little
nuisances, the drama and the action have done more for boxing then
almost any other fight or fighters in boxing this year. While I don’t
feel this bout is the fight of the year, it is definitely the most
significant bout to come our way in the last few.
With that out of the way, enjoy the following interview with the still
as yet undefeated, current IBF champion Arthur Abraham. Though it is
impossible to pass along the general tone of Arthur’s voice through the
net, I would be hard pressed for anyone to tell me they thought this
guy had just fought the battle of his life. His voice was confident,
and good natured as usual which for those of us worried about his
condition should be a giant relief.
ESB: Hey Arthur! Congratulations on the win. Did you just speak to
the doctor?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, yeah, he just looked at my jaw and said
everything is ok. He took off the thing (brace of some sort I
guess-author note) and that is it. I was just at his office.
ESB: Are you still in the hospital? When did they sign you out?
Arthur Abraham: No, I am out already. I’m already at home, but I
just went there so the doctor would check me out. They signed me out
yesterday. (Note: Arthur might have misunderstood my question)
ESB: What did he say about your injury? When will it heal? When can
you train?
Arthur Abraham: He said about 6 months until I can get back in
the ring.
ESB: What did you do at the hospital?
Arthur Abraham: I watched movies, TV, some DVD’s. My friends were
there. I read congratulations and such, answered phone calls.
Constantly had guests visiting.
ESB: What did your parents say about the fight once they heard?
Arthur Abraham: Well, they were very worried, of course. My dad was
in the arena, next to the ring and he was sweating the whole way. My
mom was at home and after the 3rd round, she could not watch anymore.
It was hard for them but they are very proud of me.
ESB: Yesterday, for the first time, Miranda commented on the fight.
He said he heard you can return to the ring only after 9-12 months.
Your doctor doesn’t agree, I guess?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, this is not true.
ESB: He also said you are a real warrior and he respects you for the
fact that you fought on with such an injury for 12 rounds. He also
hopes you get well soon. You think he is sincere here or saying it
so it’s easier to get a rematch?
Arthur Abraham: You know, I really don’t care why he said it. If he
said it sincerely, then I say, "thank you," but if he said it for some
other reasons, then I don’t care. I am always ready to fight with him
and for me, that is not a problem. In fact, that doesn’t only go for
him but for anybody else at this weight. If he said that for real,
then I say, "big thanks" to him.
ESB: He also asked if you remember, that as a sign of his respect,
after the fight he raised your hand, and I guess recognized you as
the champ?
Arthur Abraham: Of course, I remember. I remember everything about that
fight. After all, it’s not my head he broke (laughing). My head works
100%. If my head wouldn’t work, I would not continue the fight, I would
not finish and I would not win. I just don’t remember the operation.
ESB: (laughing) Well, you were under anesthesia.
Arthur Abraham: Oh yeah, that’s why (laughing).
ESB: Do you respect him for the fact that he tried to win by any
means necessary?
Arthur Abraham: I don’t respect that. He is not a good sport,
you know? Not clean. He wanted to win by any means but he couldn’t
accomplish it. He hit me with his head, below the belt, and after
the round. You know, that is boxing, though. Its not chess (laughing).
ESB: (laughing) Understood. After you went 12 rounds with him, do
you still think he is not that talented a fighter?
Arthur Abraham: If he was a talented boxer, he would have beaten
a guy with a busted jaw. If he was smart and strong, he would win
against an opponent with such an injury. He is a normal fighter,
not worse then others but not that special, either.
ESB: Well, do you still think he hits hard, though? He did break
your jaw.
Arthur Abraham: No, not really that hard. There are guys who hit
harder, I think.
ESB: You think that you hit harder?
Arthur Abraham: Of course, I had him in a few of those rounds.
ESB: Many fans have told me that they think the referee, or the
doctor, should have stopped the fight in the fifth, because the risk
to your health was too great. If they would have stopped the fight,
would you have accepted it?
Arthur Abraham: (interrupting) Yeah, many have said that, but I am
not the kind of person that will get down on his knees and give up.
If I get in the ring, I get in to win and losing, and getting on my
knees is something I won’t do. If they would have stopped it, then I
would not say anything, but if they left the decision in my hands, then
I didn’t want to. Somebody wanted to stop it, but I said, "only if I
get the win. If I end up losing by TKO, then I don’t want it stopped."
ESB: You mean if they would have DQ’d him?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, yeah, he hit me low three times. Butted me in
the head.
ESB: I think he also rabbit punched you once?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, in fact, more than once.
ESB: After the fight, Alex seemed very angry with your cornermen
and trainer. Was that because he thought the fight should have been
stopped?
Arthur Abraham: No, no, I think it was because they didn’t give me
water. In reality, he was mad at Miranda because he fought so dirty.
ESB: It’s just there is a photo, where he is yelling at your trainer?
Arthur Abraham: I think he was yelling at somebody else. To be honest,
I wasn’t paying much attention to what was going on, so I am not sure
if he yelled at my trainer.
ESB: If Alex would have been in the same situation as you in the
fifth round, would you have tried to stop the fight?
Arthur Abraham: Of course not, why would I? We are athletes and we
fight to win. If he could continue, why should we stop it? If he would
have said himself, "Stop it, I can’t go on," that is different, but if
he can continue, it doesn’t make sense to stop it. My head worked, you
saw so yourself. I didn’t get hit with any hard shots after that and
if my brother would have been in the same situation, I would not want
him to give up his title that way. We worked for and earned that title
with blood and if it comes to it, then we have to defend it with blood.
ESB: Speaking of that we have a boxer here by the name of Emanuel
Augustus. Did you hear of him?
Arthur Abraham: No, I don’t know him.
ESB: Anyway, unlike many other fighters like, for instance, Miranda
who said, "I am proud that my trainer would protect me and stop the
fight," he says that if he is ready to die in the ring then nobody has
a right to say different, including his corner. Do you agree with that?
Arthur Abraham: Well, dying in the ring is too much, I think, but
you can’t stay on your knees. Your health is the most important but
you should also assess and look at the situation. How many football,
or basketball players play on with injuries? If there is an injury,
then it will heal up later. You can’t give up. A break, an injury,
those can be fixed, can be treated, but if you give up, then that
injury can never be fixed. You can heal injuries but if you give up,
you will always have that scar that will never completely heal.
ESB: Meaning a scar like on your soul that you can never quite cure?
Arthur Abraham: Exactly. You can see yourself, I spent 2, 3 days
in the hospital, but the belt stayed with me. I am very happy and
everything is great. If I would be lying in the hospital during that
time without my title, then that would be a real tragedy. THAT would
have been a real injury.
ESB: Oh, I see what you mean. You were going to be in the hospital
anyway, so better that you spend that time with the belt? Then you
wouldn’t be lying there in a bad mood.
Arthur Abraham: (laughing) Yeah, of course. It’s a sport, injuries
happen and I had to go to the hospital, anyway. If it would have been
without my title, then it would even harder and sadder for me.
ESB: You know, I have thought about that. It’s like with every injury
the victory becomes that much sweeter.
Arthur Abraham: Yup, and you see I am speaking normally with you and
there are no problems. I am heading to America and I will be present
at Valuev’s fight.
ESB: Oh yeah, I read about that. I actually have some questions about
that but a little later. Right now, though, do you think your promoter
will want to organize a fight against some of the elite fighters
at this weight or would it be wiser to have a tune up first against
somebody of a lesser caliber?
Arthur Abraham: For me, it doesn’t matter. Whatever he wants to
organize, I say please go ahead, I am ready and happy to fight.
ESB: Well, I know you are always ready, but still, you will be out
of the ring for 6 months and maybe it’s better to have a tuneup?
Arthur Abraham: (Interrupts) Yeah, but it doesn’t matter. Whoever we
fight, I will win anyway.
ESB: So you don’t want a tune up?
Arthur Abraham: Why? It’s always better to fight the best (laughing).
ESB: Well, it could be wiser, but then again, if you think you are
ready. So you wouldn’t mind a repeat against Miranda?
Arthur Abraham: Doesn’t really matter if it’s Miranda again. Taylor,
Wright, I will fight anybody and I will win against anybody.
ESB: Who do you want first, though?
Arthur Abraham: I am saying, it doesn’t matter and I don’t care. I go
in there to win. Let them think about the fact that I am their opponent
because I never worry about it. Whatever they set up, let them set up.
ESB: Okay, well did you see the Quartey-Forrest fight?
Arthur Abraham: Nope, I didn’t watch it.
ESB: Did you hear that Forrest won?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah? Wellh then, I wanna congratulate him with the
win. Forrest is a talented fighter.
ESB: Did you hear that Taylor is supposed to fight Ouma? Did you see
Ouma fight? Who do you think will win?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, when I was getting ready for Jantuah, I watched
their fight. He is a good boxer but against Taylor, I don’t think he
stands a chance.
ESB: I know that you really want that Taylor fight. He or his people
will probably see this interview. What do you want to tell them?
Arthur Abraham: Well, I don’t have anything to say to Taylor. I have
something to say to everybody at this weight, though, and that is
that I am ready to fight you and win. If you want the fight, I am
ready. Otherwise, Taylor, De La Hoya, Wright, if you guys want the
fight, then get ready to lose. Other than that, I have nothing to say.
ESB: Do you think Taylor did the right thing by going over to be
trained by Steward? Do you think it will help him become a better
fighter?
Arthur Abraham: Well, I don’t know about that, let him decide himself
what is best for him. I don’t think it will help him, though. I think
he has reached the peak of his potential.
ESB: In the meanwhile, Wright is supposed to meet Quartey in
December. I know you think highly of Wright, so my question is,
do you think Quartey stands a chance?
Arthur Abraham: No, I didn’t hear about that, but I think Quartey
will lose. Wright is just better, in my opinion.
ESB: Okay, now, I know you are coming for Valuev’s fight but did you
know that the same day your friend Vakhtang "Vic" Darchinyan will be
fighting in Vegas.
Arthur Abraham: (getting excited) Yeah, Yeah, of course, Buddy,
I wish you luck, success and that your fight will not be as hard as
mine. I hope you knock everybody out quickly and beautifully.
ESB: Did you talk to him after the fight?
Arthur Abraham: Not yet but we speak often.
ESB: Because one of his acquaintances sent me his comments for you
after your win. They are in California now in training for his fight.
Him, Vanes Martirosyan, Artyom Simonyan. I can read you what he said.
It’s in Armenian but written with latin letters.
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, please do.
ESB: (Reading the comment) Can you tell us what he said?
Arthur Abraham: Aha! Yeah, I got it. He said, "We are very proud of
you, our champion, our brother. You are like,…" well, it can’t be
translated into Russian, but like a "great guy ("molodetz")."
ESB: Cool! I will send all the comments that I receive to your team and
you can read them yourself. I have some in Russian, Armenian, German
and English. What do you want to say to all the people that commented?
Arthur Abraham: I want to thank everybody who cheered for me on that
day, and after and before, and thought about me. I am saying that
from the bottom of my heart. I fight for myself, my family and my fans.
ESB: Who do you think is more popular in Armenia now, you or Vakhtang?
Arthur Abraham: Oh, both of us are 50/50 (laughing). What’s the
difference? Him or me? Everybody loves us, Vakhtang and I. We are
both champions of Erevan, so I don’t think one of us is more popular
then the other.
ESB: You know, I was also told that among others, Art Simonyan was
very happy for you, too. Do you know him?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, of course, he is our friend, too. He is also a
great boxer and I hope that he also becomes a world champ. So that
we become like a holy trinity almost. So that Erevan, our capital,
has three champs. We all fought for the Armenian national team and
I want to wish Artyom success and a world title, too.
ESB: So, you will watch Vakhtang’s fight on TV after the Valuev bout?
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, I even wanted to earlier but I don’t think
it’s possible.
ESB: You know, the Valuev fight doesn’t start until well after 10,
so if there is a TV in the arena or something, the showtime card
starts earlier. So maybe you can catch Vakhtang’s fight live.
Arthur Abraham: Yeah, when I am in the United States, I will try to
find out about that.
ESB: Arthur, last time you spoke with us, you said that fight fans
will hear more about you. I think this has happened. After such a
fight, what can you possibly impress us with next time?
Arthur Abraham: Next time? (laughing) I hope that it will be
interesting and entertaining for everybody, and most importantly,
that I win. I can’t say what will happen in the future, but I can
guarantee that the most interesting is still to come.
ESB: What will you do now?
Arthur Abraham: Well, I will go to America, then to Denmark, then
Moscow to see my uncle. Then back home to Erevan. Now, I will relax,
rest, gather my strength, and do some light training. Doctor said
that I can’t train hard for three months. So that and then I will
fight and that is that.
ESB: Arthur, again, congratulations on the fight. We are very proud
of you and your success. In terms of drama, your fight with Miranda
can be compared to Gatti and Ward, or even Benn and McLellan. The
only shame is we didn’t get to see it on American TV. I hope that
next time you will be fighting in our neck of the woods. Get well
and heal up those wounds.
Arthur Abraham: Thank You. I hope I will be fighting there as well.
So until then, bye.
I want to thank Heiko Mallwitz as always and the Sauerland team as
well as everybody who sent in their comments to Arthur.
If you want to send them, in any language, English, Russian, Armenian,
German go ahead and mail them to [email protected] and I will
make sure to pass them on to Arthur through his team.
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