Interview with István Kovács

10 days before his defense of the WBO featherweight crown, profiboksz.hu interviewed the champion István Kovács about his upcoming fight, future plans and the featherweight division.

On winning the title

Profiboksz.hu (Pb): In your fight with Antonio "Chelo" Diaz you started quite passively in the early rounds, but you still managed to score an impressive victory by stopping him late in the fight. Why were you so cautious in the first half of the fight?

Koko: The training camp was great, but I still was not in the best form. I couldn't really find the appropriate distance against him and neglected my jab in the first part of the fight. Unfortunately, my eye was hurt in the 4th round. I only found the rythm after round 5-6.

Pb: Were you suprised by Diaz's performance?

Koko: Definitely. After what I had seen from him on tapes, I didn't expect him to come out that aggressively. Even worse, I let him dictate the pace and did not make him pay, so he was not intimidated at all.

Pb:What have you been doing since January?

Koko: I took some time off and went on a vacation. We started negotiations around March and I also began the roadwork and training in March. The actual preparation started in April.

On the first defense

Pb: Your first defense of the WBO title will be on 16th July, against Julio Pablo Chacon. How are you preparing for that fight?

Koko: There are no dramatic changes in my training camp. However, this time I know the exact date and I have had more time to work on my strength and stamina.

Pb:Weight problems?

Koko: No, everything is fine. We still have 10 days till the fight and I only have to burn 2-2,5 kg, which is absolutely normal for me.

Pb: This will be your first defense in Hungary. We are expecting a sell-out crowd of 15,000, so you will fight in front of a full house of enthusiastic supporters. How will it affect your performance and the outcome of the fight?

Koko: I'm positive that it's going to be absolutely fantastic, because whenever I fought in front of my home crowd, (twice as a pro and once as an amateur) I could always take full advantage of their support.

Pb:What do you know about your opponent, Julio Pablo Chacon?
Koko: Based on his record, knock-out ratio and style, he is a dangerous opponent. However, punching power might be his only advantage against me, therefore I shouldn't make it a close fight, like I did with Diaz.

Pb: Were other possible opponents taken into consideration, or you wanted particularly Chacon?

Koko: This is a mandatory defense, so he wasn't my choice.

Pb: How do you rate Chacon compared to your previous opponents and in the division?

Koko : He is probably my most difficult and most experienced opponent so far, but he is not in the top 10 in the division. I watched several tapes of his fights and he was very unimpressive against Norwood. Against weaker opposition, he boxed beautifully and impressively.

Pb: What could be the winning strategy against him?

Koko: I'm not going to let him dictate the fight. I will come out agressive and make him pay dearly when he misses.

Pb: Will you knock him out?

Koko: Difficult question. I never plan a knockout, but it's a definite possibility.,

Pb: Message for your hometown fans?

Koko: Have a great evening and a great fight! I hope that they will enjoy the fight as much as my fight with Robinson.

Futur plans

Pb: Universum is introducing the Klitschko brothers in the USA. Is that possible that you will also fight in America?

Koko: Let's get through my defense first, then let's see how the Klitschko bros do in the US. If Universum gets a contract with HBO, anything can happen.

Pb: Who do you want to fight next?

Koko: Hamed, Barrera...

Pb: Where and when will you fight next?

Koko: I will probably fight once more this year, possibly by the end of the autumn.

Pb: Since April, Marco Barrera is the man to beat in the featherweight division. Barrera gave up his super-bantam title and will fight as a featherweight from now on. He has always been loyal to the WBO. Is that a possibilty that he wants to fight you?

Koko: We shall know more after Morales vs Barrera II.

On the featherweight division

Pb: What is your opinion about Hamed's defeat? How did you see the Hamed vs Barrera fight?

Koko: I was sad and happy at the same time. Barrera was fantastic. His game was absolutely perfect, he made no mistakes and it proved to be too much for Hamed. The most interesting aspect of the fight is that Barrera didn't need a "secret weapon" to beat Hamed. "All" he needed to do was keep his calm, watch his defense and fight back. He made Hamed miss all night.

Pb: Do you still want to fight Hamed?

Koko: Definitely. Regardless of his loss, Hamed is still the biggest attraction in the featherweight division.

Pb: The division is bustling with activity. Gainer won a close decision against Polo. Underdog Toledo clealry won against Botile. Morales was almost knocked out by Espadas, but still managed to win. We have already mentioned Hamed and Barrera. What is next to come? More upsets, or will things settle?

Koko: I don't know, but I doubt that anybody sees clearly in this chaotic situation. Champions came and went recently and more fighters come up in weight. Anything can happen.

Pb: Do you still believe that Morales is the best featherweight?

Koko: I didn't see his fight with Espadas, but I was impressed by his performance in the Barrera fight. Anyway, because of his style, he could be my toughest opponent.

Pb: What do you expect in the following match-ups : Gainer vs Marquez, Morales vs Chi, Morales vs Barrera II?

Koko: I think that Gainer keeps his title. I have never seen Chi. Barrera is on top of his game and Morales is still not the same after their first fight, so Barrera is the favourite. However, I can think of several outcomes in this fight.

Pb: Thank you very much!

Koko: You are welcome!