By Alexey Potapov
WBA light welterweight world champion Andreas Kotelnik (31-2-1, 13 KOs) has given exclusive interview to Fightnews.com in which he spoke about his recent title defense against Marcos Rene Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs) a possible in against Dmitriy Salita (29-0, 16 KOs) and more.
Andreas, what impressions remain with you after your fight against Marcos Rene Maidana?
Good fight, entertaining….I’ve defended a title belonging to me, therefore impressions are mostly good.
However, wasn’t that fight the most difficult in your career?
No, that’s not true. It was a hard fight for me, but not the hardest. Such a fight for me is still ahead.
In the beginning you took a lot of punches. Was that surprising?
I was ready for that type of fight. I knew that Maidana enters the ring not to box, but to finish the fight by a knockout. He has gotten used to winning like that. But I’m the world champion. I was better prepared and I have more experience than him. I deservedly won.
In the ninth round, you did have a rough time. It seemed that the Argentinean had shaken you.
No. I took some blows, but they didn’t shake me. I managed the situation. If I was shaken, I wouldn’t have went all twelve rounds.
Maidana had never previously had a fight go past eight rounds. Were you surprised by his conditioning?
Yes, he was well prepared for the fight physically, but I was better. He’s a young boxer and his best is still ahead.
Before the judges rendered their decision, did you have any doubts about the victory?
No, I was sure that I was better. If the challenger wishes to become the world champion, he should be three times better than me. I didn’t receive any blows from him which could shake me, most of the punches I blocked. I managed the situation in the ring completely.
You could have fought with Dmitriy Salita in New York at Madison Square Garden, but you refused…
I did not refuse! I didn’t accept the money which was offered me. I expect more. I am ready to meet Salita in the ring and to win. For me it’s not a problem.
