Tomorrow in Cherkassy Sport Palace «Budivelnik» Yuri Nuzhnenko (29-1-1, 14 KOs), former WBA World welterweight champion will fight in a ten-rounder against solid Russian journeyman Vyacheslav Yakovenko (7-7-1, 3 КОs). On the eve of the fight Nuzhnenko spoke with us about his training for the upcoming clash, his plans for the fight and shared his plans for the future, especially taking into consideration his title bout against Gianluca Branco (43-2-1, 22 КОs). Nuzhnenko and Branco will contend for vacant EBU (European) welterweight title.

Nuzhnenko vs. Yakovenko bout will headline the undercard of «World Boxing in Cherkassy» fight card where in the main event of the evening Avtandil Khurtsidze will defend his WBA Inter-Continental middleweight belt in a clash against Kuvanych Toygonbaev (29-5, 18 KOs) from Uzbekistan.

«I have been training for one month and a half already that was quite enough for full-fledged preparation for a ten-rounder, – said Yuri. – I did not see any Yakovenko’s fights that is why I will have to adjust in the ring. However, I have got accustomed to such things. What I know for sure is that he is a strong and experienced fighter who is always ready to exchange whatever his opponent is. Besides, he is a very durable boxer – he never was stopped in the ring. Such opponent is most welcomed by me because I have some other tasks in tomorrow fight besides KO win: to refresh my boxing skills, to feel the ring and to try some new «know-hows».

So I need a solid durable opponent who will strive for victory but not simply try to survive in the ring as my previous opponent from Uzbekistan did in my last fight. For me the fight against Yakovenko is an important phase in preparation for vacant EBU (European) welterweight title in which I shall have to clash against famous Italian boxer. Unfortunately the date of fight against Branco has not been fixed yet. I only know that this fight will be held in Italy at the end of January. So there will be enough time for rehabilitation after tomorrow bout. However, I do not expect easy fight against Vyacheslav Yakovenko – I never have any intention to underrate my opponents and I always train with maximum dedication and I am completely devoted to my work. Nevertheless, I am 100% sure that tomorrow I will come out victorious.

Then I’ll have some rest and will continue my training for Branco fight. I will start studying videos of Italian’s fights after Yakovenko bout. Now I am concentrated 100% on my tomorrow clash against Russian boxer.

As far as fight for vacant EBU (European) welterweight title is concerned I am well aware of the fact that Branco fight in Italy will be a severe test for me. But I am not worrying much about the location of the fight – many times before I stepped into the ring to fight a boxer in his native town and finally I came out victorious. By the way, I won WBA World welterweight title when I fought Frederic Klose in France.

I will do my best in order to win the fight against Branco in the most convincing way. Victory over him will bring me back to the elite of welterweights and it will be a big step towards the top.

I was a champion before and I am going to take the belt back. At the moment I do not know which boxing organization we will choose. However, if I have a choice I would pick Vyacheslav Senchenko, reigning WBA World welterweight champ (30-0-0, 20 КОs): I have strong desire to requite my loss to him which cost me champion belt».