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Interview with Istvan „Koko” Kovacs

0000-00-00 00:00:00 /
Istvan "Koko" Kovacs is preparing to his matctch against Antonio "Chelo" Diaz, for the vacant WBO title. The olympic gold medallist of Atlanta took the time to answer our questions. Koko was more than helpful during our meeting. He is a class act outside the ring as well :

Golyo :
According to the latest news, you are scheduled to fight Antonio "Chelo" Diaz for the vacant WBO title on January 27. What do you think of this fight and Diaz as an opponent?
Koko :
If it wasn't a title-fight, I would say that Diaz is an tailor made for me, because of the differences in our styles. He is not fast and tough enough to catch me and he can't make up with power what he lacks technically. The only thing that makes him a dangerous opponent is that it's his big chance to win a title and I'm sure he will bring his best to the ring.
Golyo :
What are your plans after winning the WBO title?
Koko :
I haven't made up a plan yet. Still, I would like to fight Hamed and it would be great to have several match-ups between Hamed, Morales, Barrera and myself to clean up the division.
Golyo :
When you turned pro, you said that your motivation was to become the first man to defeat Naseem Hamed. Is that still your primary aim , or you have other goals to achieve?
Koko :
No, the primary aim has not changed. However, when I set up my plan, beating Hamed meant the title as well. Now, I can't get the title-fight against Hamed, but that's not my fault.
Golyo :
Hamed is scheduled to fight Barrera in March. If he comes out victorious, he wishes to fight Erik Morales next. What do you think of these match-ups. Who will win and how?
Koko :
I think that after the Sanchez fight, Hamed and Steward are going to prepare better this time and focus more on Hamed's defense. If they neglect it, Hamed is in for a very dangerous fight, but I think that Hamed will prevail against Barrera. However, Morales will be too much for Hamed. Naz's only chance will be a lucky one-punch knockout.
Golyo :
If Hamed gets beaten, would you still like to fight him, or try to get a shot at the fighter who defeated him?
Koko :
It depends on the expectations of the public, my management and the opportunities of course. Whoever's trophy is more prestigious.
Golyo :
Whom would you like to fight during your pro career?
Koko :
Hamed, Barrera, Ingle, Peden. McCullogh..
Golyo :
Morales?
Koko :
Morales is the toughest opponent of them all. Nobody fights Morales just for fun, but that would be a great challenge for me.
Golyo :
Why Peden? How about Marquez or Gainer?
Koko :
There is no driving force for me to fight Marquez and Gainer. As for Peden : I beat him in a very tough fight in the semi finals in the Australian World Amateur Championship in 91. He promised that he would beat me once in return. :-) Talking about formerly defeated amateur opponents: I would give Tim Austin a rematch in the pro ranks as well... :-)
Golyo :
Supposing that you get all the matches you wanted as a featherweight, would you consider moving up to face a junior-lightweight champion like Mayweather, Casamayor or Freitas?
Koko :
I was prepared to fight Casamayor in the Olympics in Atlanta, but he chose the free world and dropped out of the Olympics. Unless I put on some weight, I will always fight as a featherweight.
Golyo :
What do you think of the champions of the three major organizations?
Golyo :
Paul Ingle (IBF)
Koko :
Probably the easiest opponent of them all. We know each other from the amateurs. Has not got the tools to beat me. I would beat him easily.
Golyo :
Derrick Gainer (WBA)
Koko :
Young and quick, but he parades around too much and I have doubts about his technical abilities as well. In dangerous situations he tends to lose control and gets nervous. It would be a difficult and dangerous match, but I would beat him.
Golyo :
By "parading around", do you mean that he imitates Roy Jones Jr.?
Koko :
That too. Also, he tries to show more than he is capable of.
Golyo :
Guty Espadas/ Erik Morales (WBC)
Koko :
For me, Morales is the real champion. He is the best in the division, an almost complete fighter. I wouldn't give odds to this fight, because this is the only fight where I can think of several outcomes. Of course, it doesn't mean that I don't believe in my chances. :-)
Golyo :
It seems that you consider him the most dangerous featherweight. Why do you think so?
Koko :
Fighting is in his blood and he is a well seasoned fighter. He is young, but really experienced.
Golyo :
How do you imagine your fight with Naseem Hamed? What would be your key to victory?
Koko :
In the first couple of rounds, I would surprise him, by countering all his wild haymakers. I would control him with sharp, accurate punching. After a while, he would get completely exposed to the crowd and his anger would drive him mad and get irresponsible. Hamed would try to knock me out with single power punches and that might very well get him into a KO loss. If he happens to survive this, by the end of round 6-8, I would have the psychic edge and his stamina would be wearing thin. This is a very dangerous part of the fight and I would have to be really cautious, because that would be his dance macabre. :-)
Golyo :
Many people feel that Hamed would start out boxing on the outside and discovers he cannot win that way and then he decides to come in and throw a lot of leather. Would you try to slip his punches and counter him with your owns, or you would try to keep him off and out-jab him?
Koko :
It always depends on the situation, but as long as I don't feel his effective punching range and speed, I wouldn't go toe-to-toe with him and grant him a chance to land a lucky punch.
Golyo :
Hamed has shown in the past that he is capable of borderline tactics and even dirty tricks (especially against Soto and Sanchez). He has been allowed to do this so far. How would you react if he tried to apply those tactics against you?
Koko :
As long as it doesn't affect the outcome, I don't bother. In fact, when a fighter uses dirty tricks, it's a sign that he lost confidence.
Golyo :
You clearly rely a lot on general speed of hand, foot and body movement. How long, do you feel that you will be able to maintain this speed? In your opinion, has your speed changed in the last couple of years?
Koko :
I put on a lot of muscles last year, so my punches probably got more dynamic, faster and stronger, but I have no idea how long I will be able to maintain my speed.
Golyo :
Many observers say that you dont have the necessary firepower to knock out a fighter like Hamed. Some others say that you do have the power, but your style is not of a KO artist's. What do you think of this?
Koko :
I guess the truth is somewhere between. For me, winning is the most important thing and I always use the most effective tactics to achieve victory. If I feel that I can go toe-to-toe, I do that. However, I'm not going to brawl in a match where I already have the edge, just to get a knock-out victory. I think, that by now, I have the necessary power to get a knockout even with punches that I don't commit myself or don't land perfectly. That might very well surprise a lot of people from now on. If I had had the power that I have now, at the beginning of my pro career, I would have won at least 14 of my 19 fights by knockout. That would be quite a KO percentage.
Golyo :
You seldom go the body but you appear to be very effective when you do. Why do you not do it more? Do you think it is fundamentally a more risky approach, or doesn't fit your style?
Koko :
Among body punches, left uppercut is my favorite, but this carries more risk than straight punches. As long as I don't feel it safe to use it, I don't rely on it.
Golyo :
What useful lessons have you learned over your pro years?
Koko :
How to use the preparation period perfectly and to find the hidden beauty of the sport.
Golyo :
What message would you send to those fight fans that don't know you?
Koko :
I hope, that this situation will change very soon and foreign fight fans will realize that even an unknown fighter can be very classy and talented. ?
Golyo :
Thanks very much!
Koko :
You are welcome.

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