How did Bahram Murtazaliev assess his chances in possible fight with Isroil Madrimov?

Russian boxers have a place in the world of professional boxing.  Especially in recent years, their prestige is growing.  Such names as Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, Sergey Kovalev, Alexander Povetkin can be continued for a long time.  Among them is Bakhram Murtazaliev, who is undefeated super welterweight contender (69,850 kg).  He has led 17 fights during his career, winning all of them and leading the IBF rankings and knocking out 13 times ahead of schedule.  Interestingly, this boxer also trained under the Uzbek coach Abror Tursunpulatov.  We contacted him and asked a few questions.  We bring this conversation to your attention below.

 - We know your results in professional boxing.  But I can't say the same about your amateur career.  Maybe you can tell me a little bit about that?

 - I did not achieve high results among amateurs.  To be honest, there is a mafia, a very big politics.  Therefore, it was not possible to enter the national team on my own.  When I thought about it, I decided to switch to professional boxing because of the large number of rounds and the fact that my fighting style was right.

  - You have been cooperating with the Uzbek coach Abror Tursunpulatov for some time.  Tell me, how did you meet him?

 - I met Tursunpolatov in January of 2017 in America, after my second fight then his  Fazliddin and I started training together under his guidance.  We worked with him for two and a half years, I had to look for another coach because Abror had visa problems and couldn’t come to America.

 - Under which coach are you currently preparing for the fights?

- At the moment I am training under the guidance of an American specialist, former coach of Andre Ward Vetchel Hunter.

- What promotional company do you work with?

- I have a contract with Main Events.  Our team consists of Sergey Kovalev and two or three other good boxers.

 - Your manager Egis Klimas is a very famous person in the world of boxing.  How would you rate him?

 - We are working with Egis, he is a great specialist and a very good person!  You can chat on any topic.

 - You trained with Uzbek Olympic champion Fazliddin Goibnazarov in the same hall.  Have you been in sparring fights with him, even though he moves in a different weight class?

- True, we practiced with him many times, it can not be called sparring.  We worked together to feel the distance, to increase our technical readiness.

- Another Uzbek fighter Isroil Madrimov also fights in your weight category.  You are number one contender in IBF while he is a mandatory challenger fot WBA  world title.  In general, your path may intersect with him in the future.  How would you rate your chances against him?

 - Yes, yes, I know.  But I didn’t watch his fights.  It is too early to assess my own capabilities.  It all depends on the God.  If we are lucky, we can fight.  He could also be a champion.  I would also note such a result.  Why shouldn’t that be the case?  This is a sport after all.  Everything is likely to happen in sports!

- Soon WBC champion Jermell Charlo and IBF, WBA belt holder Jeison Rosario will fight to unify their belts.  Tell me, do you think the winner of this clash will have his first defensive fight against you?

 -If any of them wins, they have to fight me or vacate  the belt. The reason was that they were allowed for just being unification battle, so the IBF allowed them to postpone the mandatory fight.  The second time they do not give such an opportunity.  I think they will fight me.

- Which of them do you know as a comfortable opponent?

 - I think Rosario is much more comfortable for me ... He enters the attack with his face open.  Charlo is a supporter of tactical boxing, both of whom are attacking boxers.  It’s much more comfortable for me to fight the attacking boxers first.  So I don’t think arguing with them is a big deal.  But it all depends on the God.

- When is your next fight planned?

 - In the undercard of Rosario - Charlo, which will take place on September 26. Currently, we are preparing for that date.

- Considering your close relationship with Abror Tursunpulatov and Fazliddin Goyibnazarov, it is clear that you have already tasted Uzbek national dishes ...?

 - Yes, I am very dear to them.  We often talk each other.  They are my best friends.  I like Uzbek pilaf.  Fazliddin and Abror make the soup very tasty.

 - Have you been to Uzbekistan?

- No, I have not been to Uzbekistan yet.  I intend to go if I get lucky.  But there are no long breaks due to the fighting.  I will definitely go when the opportunity arises.

- Thank you very much.  Good luck in your next fights!

- Thank you very much for the interview.