Avtandil Khurtsidze: «I am not interested in boxing in which fighters run from each other»

We offer your attention an interview with promising middleweight Avtandil Khurtsidze (15-1-2, 11 KOs) from «K2 East Promotions» promotional company. In less than a week Avtandil will clash with Argentinean Javier Alberto Mamani (34-6-1, 19 KOs) for vacant WBA Inter-Continental middleweight belt. This fight will be the main event of a huge boxing tournament to be held in Odessa on July 5th.

Please, tell us how you became a boxer?
I was born in Kutaisi, a nice city in western Georgia. There I grew up. Once when I was a schoolboy a boxing trainer came to our school. He searched for candidates for boxing class. He ranged the boys in a line and asked who was right-handed and who was left-handed. I lied that I was right-handed and he decided on me. In three months I became bored and stopped boxing. At my 6 years of age I was determined enough for such action. 10 years later I went in for kick boxing. Just to feel secure in the streets. And when I was 20 I became No1 of national boxing team of Georgia.

Why did you move to professional boxing and how you came to be a member of «K2 East Promotions»?
I had only 10 amateur fights. I had no interest in boxing in which fighters run from each other that’s why I became a professional boxer. Prizefighters mostly fight – not run from each other! As I’ve told you I was No1 of national amateur boxing team of Georgia although not long. But they did not take me to the Olympic Games and I took it amiss. I boxed in the USA for some time then moved to Ukraine. I trained in gym where Alexander Lichter, a famous Ukrainian trainer, saw me and recommended me as a sparring partner to Zaurbek Baysangurov. Then Vadim Bukhkalov, promoter of «K2 East Promotions», saw me and invited me to «К2 East».

By the way what is your impression of American boxing, what is the difference between it and boxing in CIS? And what happened in your fight with Tony Marshall – it was your only defeat?
In the States they are accustomed to power boxing while here it is still more amateurish. As far as Tony Marshall fight is concerned it was not Tony who won the fight but the referee. I knocked Tony down and he hitted me below the belt – and then the referee stopped the fight not to my favor!

What style in boxing do you prefer? Do you have any favorite clever tricks?
I like offensive and aggressive power boxing! But I am able to control my emotions effectively. I like to box from inside and exchange punches. As far as my «favorite clever tricks» are concerned… Everything depends upon the situation.

What place does boxing occupy in your life?
Boxing IS my life. I remember all my bouts – each one was interesting in its own way. Of course, I watch all main bouts in the world boxing.

Do you have a favorite boxer?
Mike Tyson, in his young years.

Whom would you like to box against?
I have no preferences – that is them who will have to fight me. It's all the same to me – let my promoters bring anybody and I will fight.

To your mind who is now the strongest middleweight?
Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham.

By the way, recently they both KOed their opponents in a spectacular fashion. There are rumors that in half a year Pavlik and Abraham may clash in a unification bout. Who do you think will win?
Arthur, I believe. He hits harder.

Who are your friends among boxers?
They all are my friends – I’m a friendly guy.

Boxing is a hard and dangerous sport. Did you ever think about leaving it and begin doing something other – safer and less harmful?
I do not consider boxing to be dangerous never mind harmful. Boxing helps me much – to become concentrated, for example.

What do you plan to do in you future after you leave the sport?
Don't count your chicken before they are hatched. So far I do not think about finishing my boxing career.

Besides boxing do you have any hobbies?
I like to go horse riding. At home in Kutaisi I have two horses: a boy and a girl – a family, you know.

Does it happen that sometimes you have some bad blood towards your opponent or for you boxing is nothing more than sporting rivalry? Do you have sometimes to boil aggression inside you before fights?
No, nothing of the kind! When I hit my opponent I never think whether it hurts him or not – I just win points. And I even feel pity for my rivals when they fall.

Do you sometimes fight out of the ring?
I do not remember when I did it the last time. I think it was long time ago, in Georgia but I prefer fighting in the ring.

What was you most difficult fight?
I do not think I had any of the kind.

Some experts say that with your height and reach it would be more logical to lose some weight and to move one or two divisions down. What do you think?
No, just on the contrary – I plan to move up one weight class: I’m small but my heart is big.

In «K2 East Promotions» there is one more promising middleweight (Maxim Bursak). Have you ever sparred with him? Did you see his fights? What’s your opinion of him? Is there any competition among you or each one just goes his own way without any rivalry?
Max has very good fighting style; he is a good promising boxer. I do not consider him to be my competitor. However, he may have different opinion.

Do your relatives and friends from Georgia visit Ukraine to support you at the fights? What does fans’ support mean to you? Do your relatives go to your fights?
My father only once went to the boxing tournament where I boxed and my brother saw a couple of my fights on TV. I like faces of my fans after my victories. I want to demonstrate spectacular boxing each time I step into the ring. My fans’ applause is my favorite music.

Tell us a few words about your training camp for Mamani bout.
I started it just after the last fight – general exercise training. One and a half month before the fight – power training. Then power and speed training. Last but one stage – speed + stamina (feeling for the target, balance, combinations, more real fighting in sparring). The last stage – more exercises for the development of boxing sensations in the ring. Working out with mitts, pneumatic punching bag, light sparring.

What do you like the most in training?
The process itself and workouts with mitts.

We even do not dare to ask you about your dearest wish in boxing – sure it is to…
Precisely! To become the undisputed champion of the world.