05.12 - On Monday Wladimir will carry out his last sparring session before his fight with Jameel McCline this Saturday night. The rest of this week Wladimir will spend twice a day in light training, attend a press conference, the weight-in and again…his most challenging test with the most difficult opponent out of Wladimir's professional career. We got a chance to talk with Wladimir, right after his training ended, before he was off to eat somewhat belated lunch.

Wladimir, how were you greeted by Las Vegas?
I heard that in Kiev the winter is already in full swing. In Germany it's raining non-stop. Here in Vegas the sun is shining, it's not hot, the temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit). So here, being somewhat sarcastic, it's like in paradise.

And how was your period of adaptation?
Well, actually I would say I haven't had a period of adaptation. There were few difficulties with the time adjustment, but the frequent trips across the oceans helped somewhat, so I haven't had any serious or specific problems.

How is your preparation going on?
My main preparation took place first in Hamburg, and then in Dortmund. Here only one week of sparring-practice remained. Then I'm training mainly on polishing my combinations and tactical movements. Here in Las Vegas my first training begins at 11 o'clock in the morning. During this training most of the attention is placed on physical fitness, stamina, warm-up, technical sparring with Fritz Sdunek and training with boxing bag. After the lunch and much-needed two hours of sleep, I start my second training at 5 in the evening. There, after a period of stretching and technical sparring with Fritz, I start sparrings.

Are you satisfied with condition of training?
Yes, the gym is located close to hotel. And everything that's needed is there. Everything is well here.

When will you completely end your preparation for this upcoming fight?
On Wednesday the last training will take place. On Thursday just a warm up in the morning and in the evening. By the way, that's the same day that both Jammel and I will have press conference and weight-in. Friday and Saturday I'll rest.

As Vitali said, your sparring partners could make a pretty good basketball team…your comment?
All six guys, with whom I spar, are like from the "Tale about king Sultan" written by Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin (a famous Russian poet and author) - "…all are similar as if specially selected…"

Well, how's sparring?
Fritz is happy. So am I. Guys know their task and are working hard to earn their money.

In Germany, I noticed that most attention in sparring was given to work on close range boxing. Do you and Fritz expect that Jameel will try to box in short-range?
What kind of style Jameel wants to show, will be known on Saturday during the fight. Right now, based on analysis of his fights, we developed tactic, which will be effective. Effective to our benefit, of course

Wladimir, what can you say about Jameel McCline?
Jameel - very strong fighter. One time he was well-known sparring-partner, helping boxers like Lewis, Tua, Mercer and many other good fighters. Recently he carried out fights with high-class boxers. And if you could say that his victory over Michael Grant has pure luck, then his victories over Lance Whitaker and Shannon Briggs were well deserved. Jameel physically is a strong boxer, quick and can punch powerfully with both hands. Because of all his qualities, I have prepared seriously for this fight. It's not going to be a quiet walk in Las Vegas.

This means that like before your every fight… This will be the hardest, the most dangerous and the most serious opponent, with whom you haven't yet carried out a bout?
Every fight is difficult in its own way. At first everyone said that Derrick Jefferson was the strongest fighter to face me, then Ray Mercer. Now it's Jameel McCline. But for myself, the most important thing is not a boxer's name but my victory over him. I always get ready for a boxing match, as if it was the most important one, just like it is, and set my mind on a victory. And only after the fight you could say if the opponent, and the fight as well, were easy or hard.

After my victory over Jefferson I was told 'how fast and unexpectedly you fought him.' After the fight with Mercer, people asked me why I didn't finish him off in the second round when he was already beat up in the first?

How can I answer to these questions? My opponent has as much chance to win as I have. But the winner, will become clear only after the fight ends. I try to be the better fighter and work hard for this.

Many say that McCline is physically big and athletically strong guy, but concerning technique you have advantage. What do you think, you technical preparation will play a significant role in the fight with Jameel?
The winner will be the one who can better prepare for the fight and who will be a little bit luckier. This is heavyweight division where one punch can end everything. What I can say is that McCline lately has worked hard on his technique.

Wladimir, in your opinion, what will be the most decisive factor for a victory?
The one who will be the first to adapt to the style of his opponent and gets control of his opponents style and technique. To say it much simpler, the one who will catch his opponent quickly.

Many fighters say that before the fight they have two or even three plans to carry out a fight. If not a secret, how many plans did you prepare with Fritz?
We prepared several plans about the fight. What are they? I will leave that to myself, since I wouldn't want to help out Jameel. The most important for me, is that these plans would lead me toward victory.

In one of Jameel's interviews he hinted towards your love of chess, saying that boxing is nothing like chess, and the fight is not a chess match. Your comment?
That's his opinion, which he has the right to have. I think differently. Boxing and chess, with all its differences, have lots of similarities. Sometimes you have to wait for a long time before the opponent becomes defeated. In boxing one punch can end everything, but most likely you have to play with opponent, calculate each move before you can deliver a final blow. In chess it's called checkmate, in boxing it's a knockout.

Wladimir, before Vitali's fight with Donald, he stated that he would win by KO. Would you like to make the same statement?
I guarantee that I will be the winner in the fight with McCline. Of course the most wanted victory for me, just like any other boxer, would be by a knockout. In this case there are no doubts about the victory neither from the fans nor from the judges. I also can tell you this, that the fight may even last all twelve rounds. I am ready for any development in the fight. No matter how I win, I'll make it sure that my victory is clearly seen by everyone.

I have had conversations with some boxers, who have developed the so-called "syndrome of unknown arena." Wladimir, you're fighting again in Mandaley Bay. This arena has been "good to you" before, when in August of last year you beat Charles Shufford.
This kind of syndrome I have never experienced. A Ring- same everywhere. And the fact that I'm somewhat known in Las Vegas, is very pleasing. I hope that there will be a lot of those that come to support me.

Wladimir, on December 14th Chris Byrd and Evander Holyfield will fight each other. Will Vitali and you be present during that fight?
Unfortunately not. On December 12th we're flying off to Brazil, where we will take part in a program "Education for kids in need." If it will be possible, we'll try to watch it live on TV.

Your prediction?
I think that this will be very interesting fight. Chris is very difficult fighter. On his side is speed, ability to maneuver, control of his body and his ability to launch combination punches. Holyfield is well known as a very powerful and skillful fighter. If Byrd can keep Holyfield from fighting close-range, then his chance for winning will greatly improve. I would divide the chance of victory by 51 to 49 in Holyfield's favor.

Wladimir, how are you feeling how that you became uncle for second time?
It's wonderful. I'm happy for Vitali. The day when he defeated Donald, another gift waited for him - his newly born daughter. I haven't seen my niece yet, but Vitali, who travels back and forth between LA and Las Vegas, has told me a great deal about her. Most importantly, that he's happy, while Natasha and Elizabeth-Victoria are healthy.

What about yourself…would you like to have a family and things like that?
I promise, that after my fight with Jameel I will seriously think about that question.

Wladimir, looks like the fight with Vitali and Lennox, have reached finished line. In February Mike is returning back to ring, after his loss to Lennox. Are you planning to fight Mike anytime soon?

Right now, I don't want to talk about future, since I have all my concentration on the fight with Jameel.

I can say that Vitali's fight with Lennox brings double happiness to me. First of all Vitali will beat Lennox and become World Champion. And secondly, first time in boxing history two brothers will become World Champions at the same time in heavyweight division. And concerning Mike, I wouldn't mind to face him in the ring. But then again, many will say that I have beaten an old man, who has long past his fighting times.

Wladimir, we wish you to win on December 7th, and will support you both in the arena as well as in front of TV's. Best of all to you!
Thank you and everyone who will support me. This will be interesting fight. I will do everything, that everyone can share this victory.