Boxing

Interview: SAMI ELOVAARA

Interview by Henrik Risum

27.07 - Finnish heavyweight hope Sami ‘The Bull’ Elovaara, 14-1 (9), will challenge “The Dutch Sonny Liston” Richel Hersisia, 19-0 (15), for the WBF heavyweight title on August 9 in Salzburg, Austria. This will be Elovaara´s first title fight in the pro ranks, while Danish- promoted Hersisia is more experienced, having won the WBA Central American title and the Dutch national crown on top of his fringe ‘world’ title. Elovaara feels that he is in the shape of his life, and he is extremely focused on becoming the first man EVER to defeat Hersisia (who was 25-0, 23 KOs as an amateur). Read on to find out what ‘The Bull’ had to say during the countdown to his biggest moment as a boxer.

Henrik Risum: Hello Sami! How does it feel like to be on the verge of your first title fight as a professional?

Sami Elovaara: It feels great! It feels really great! This has been my goal and my dream for my entire career, and I am fit and ready to take the title. I am not coming just to participate and be part of a title fight, I am coming to win the belt!

You have called out all Scandinavian heavyweights on www.danish-boxing.dk. Was Richel Hersisia one of your priority opponents?

Absolutely! He is an undefeated, big, good boxer, who just like me is full of ambitions. And when he accepted my challenge, he proved that he has some balls too.

Possible fights with Rune Lillebuen from Norway, and Sweden’s Johan Thorbjörnson never became reality. What happened there?

Well, my manager Jaakko Helminen negotiated with Steffen Tangstad, and he informed us that Lillebuen was not willing to fight me. Tangstad promised to get back to us after discussing with Thorbjörnsson, but that never happened. It seems to me that those guys are afraid to meet me!

How are you looking at this fight against Hersisia? What will happen?

I see this as a great opportunity. It will be the fight of my life! I am not going to give a 100 % effort, but a 110 % effort. Hersisia has never fought a guy with the kind of punching power that I have. Or anybody with my speed! I will knock him out! But, if I have to, I can outbox him for twelve rounds as well…

I heard that you have been training in the woods, chopping trees and running in swamp areas. Has that kind of unusual training helped you for this fight?

I went back to basics…you know, like boxers in the old days. I have improved my stamina and my punching power because of this training. I really, really doubt that Hersisia has trained as hard as I have.

Is there anything else you have worked on especially for Hersisia?

I really have no comments on that question. On August 9 you will see!

How much do you know about him?

I haven’t personally seen any of his fights, but my manager has seen him a few times live in Denmark. I know he is a steady puncher, and his record is pretty impressive too.

Is there really all this bad blood between the two of you that I have been hearing about?

I have heard that he is underestimating me, and won’t give me any respect for my boxing skills! Let’s see what happens…

Fighting in Salzburg, Austria will be neutral territory. Will that be an advantage for you and a disadvantage for Hersisia?

I don’t really care where the fight is! I would have been ready to fight this guy in his own living room if that was what it was going to take.

How much does winning the WBF title mean to you and your career?

It means a lot! Richel has never been beaten, so he is a real champion. Until August 9…

Any final words for the readers?

Enjoy the beautiful summer. If you come to Salzburg, you will see some live fireworks! I also really appreciate that www.danish-boxing.dk published my ‘wish list’ last May. This year I will have an early Christmas, because Santa Claus brought me this fight with Hersisia.

Thank you for your time Sami. Good luck on August 9!

Thank you, and all the best to you and the readers!

(This interview was first published on www.danish-boxing.dk)

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