Interview: The Klitschko Brothers

Could you give us some opening thoughts?

Tommy Brooks: I’ve worked with a lot of great champions. I think by far these guys are the brightest stars I have had the opportunity to work with. I see a lot of great things happening with these guys.

Vitali Klitschko: I am feeling very well. I am doing preparations with my brother. I hope this fight with Larry Donald (on July 20) will be interesting and be presented in the Unites States on American TV.

Wladimir Klitschko: Everything is going well. It was very tough preparation, like eight weeks, for this fight. The preparation is a very tough thing. The fight is much lighter. Mercer is a famous guy. Everyone knows he is very tough with a strong chin, and has never been knocked out. He was very quiet today at the press conference, and seems to be concentrating on the fight. Right now, he is in very good shape and in very good form.

Why did you bring Tommy Brooks into your camp?

Wladimir: We met each other for the first time four year ago, during the preparations for Holyfield versus Michael Moorer. I think bringing Tommy in is a perfect thing, because my trainer Fritz Dunick (?) teaches European style, and Tommy Brooks teaches American style. I am learning and mixing the best of European and American styles.

How has he improved your fighting style?

Wladimir: He teaches American style, which is more powerful. European style is more technical. Tommy teaches a lot of special things. We have just started with the work, and we will see how everything goes.

Do you think this fight against Mercer is a stepping-stone for an eventual fight with Lennox Lewis?

Wladimir: I am concentrating just on this fight with Ray Mercer. After that, we can talk about the future. I hope a fight with Lennox Lewis will come this year. If the fight against Lewis comes, I am sure we will win.

Have you been preparing for a distance fight against Mercer, or do you think you can stop this guy earlier?

Wladimir: It will be difficult to stop this guy. He said during the press conference that this is his last chance, so I know he will be focused and give everything. He is in really good shape for his age. I think he is taking this very seriously, and I am taking him very seriously, too.

What will be your best weapon against Mercer?

Wladimir: I have a lot of weapons. It is difficult to say which one I will use in the fight, because it depends on the situation. Against Mercer, I think it will be better to show you in the ring.

Do you have a prediction for when you will knockout Mercer?

Wladimir: Of course, for the fans, it would be nice to see a “right” win, or a knockout. I will concentrate on getting a knockout, but I don’t want to drive myself crazy with this. I am not pushing myself for a knockout, just boxing well.

Do you think Mercer is a dangerous opponent, given his age and his previous losses?

Wladimir: I saw his last fight, and he was in very good shape. I know he takes this fight seriously. He will take advantage of his chances. I have to take care all the time, and focus 100 percent to take care of Mercer.

What do you do this week to prepare for the fight?

Wladimir: I was training today, and now it is just mental concentration. I am relaxing and concentrating on the fight.

Vitaly, when you see your younger brother fighting in a big fight and getting a lot of attention, how does that make you feel?

Vitaly: My younger brother Wladimir will be the future in boxing, because he is just 26 years old. He has really big potential in the sport. Right now, this is his first big fight in the United States. We have a dream for both brothers to be world champions at the same time. We want two belts for Wladimir, and two for me. I am 30-years old, and I think I have three to five years left in boxing, but Wladimir has many more years left. He is the future of boxing.

Which one of you is better?

Vitali: I think Wladimir is the better boxer, because right now he is a world champion. When I am a world champion, too, that will be a good question for boxing fans.

Even though you guys are brothers, is there still competition?

Vitaly: Yes, there is competition between us. We will not ever fight against each other, because the goal in boxing is to beat your opponent. I do not want to beat my brother.

What is your average training day like with Tommy Brooks?

Wladimir: It is funny, because it is something new to learn. If you learn new things, it helps you so much more.

What is your emotional and mental outlook going into this fight?

Wladimir: I am very happy. It is the last week before the fight. It is so boring to have preparation for the fight, because every day brings the same thing in terms of training. I am happy my preparation is behind me, and I can have a chance to fight. I am focused on this fight.

Tommy, what is it like to train the brothers?

Brooks: It is like a breath of fresh air, baby. You’ve got guys here who want to learn something. Not to point the finger at Tyson or anyone else. Tyson is the kind of guy who does what he wants to do when he wants to do it. These guys (Klitschkos) beat me to the gym. Sometimes with Tyson, you are standing around playing pocket pool because you are not sure if he is going to show up or not. But these guys want to learn.

Ray Mercer is a tough opponent. As Wladimir’s trainer, what do you think you need to help him with for this fight?

Brooks: What a lot of people don’t realize is, I used to work with Mercer. I am looking for Wladimir to put him out cold. We are going to keep changing pace because Ray is not a mover. I do not think Ray can handle what this kid has to put out. This kid brings plenty of thunder with him.

Wladimir, how long did it take for you to get over the loss to Ross Puritty, and how have you grown as fighter?

Wladimir: It was a good experience for me, because 3-4 years ago, I was like a boxing baby. The loss was because of a mistake, but I have learned a lot from it. It was good that it came at the middle of my career.