In the co-main event of the IBA Champions’ Night in Samara, Serbia’s Vakhid Abbasov steps into the ring against Michael King representing Luxembourg in a fierce battle for the IBA Pro European Welterweight Championship. With the fight looming, Abbasov shared insights into his intense preparations and unwavering determination to claim victory.

‘Honestly, I feel ready,’ he declared. ‘We’ve been working with top-tier sparring partners. My coach brings in a fresh boxer every round—or sometimes every minute—across 8 to 10 rounds. It’s brutal training, way tougher than sparring with a single elite opponent. They’re fresh, and I’m already tired; that’s when endurance takes over. The program has been intense because I’m getting ready for an 8-round battle. I’m pushing my body to handle it.’

For Abbasov, this marks his second eight-round fight, a test he’s eager to pass. ‘I finished the first one early,’ he recalled. ‘If this goes the distance, it’ll be interesting. Sure, I’d like to end it quickly, but if it lasts all eight rounds, that’ll be good experience too. A title fight is never easy. My opponent’s young and hungry to win. I’m bracing for a tough battle, but once I’m in the ring, I’ll aim to make it look effortless. Nothing worthwhile comes easy—I live by that. I’d tell my opponent to be prepared for anything.’

Sizing up his rival, Abbasov shared, ‘He’s flexible, close to my size but with longer reach. He’s fit and has fought over eight rounds. He has his strengths, but I know what to do. I’ll figure him out in the ring—see which punches land best, whether his speed challenges me.’

In the heat of the fight, Abbasov relies on instinct. ‘Usually, you know who you’re up against in the first 20-30 seconds, though there are exceptions. After years in amateur boxing, I can assess quickly, but some fighters hold back initially. You might only grasp their style after a few rounds. I don’t yet see myself as a seasoned pro—there’s so much to learn. But we’ll find out soon enough.’

Despite his calm exterior, Abbasov doesn’t believe in overhyping himself before a fight. ‘I don’t rev myself up; I actually try to stay calm. I need a steady heart and a cold mind. Still, I know I have to win. Getting too worked up won’t help. I focus on the task and move forward. I believe in fate, and you can’t escape it.’

Abbasov has bold dreams: ‘I want to become a World Champion, maybe an undisputed champion one day. I want to fight the best. Without making statements, I’d name Crawford, Spence. That said, Crawford has 40 fights; I’ve had seven. I need more experience, maybe another 10-15 fights. It’s a long road, but I’m committed. Experience matters.’

Reflecting on his toughest years, Abbasov recalled the struggle of 2016-2018, when progress stalled. ‘Transitioning from youth to elite boxing was tough. For three years, I couldn’t get the results I wanted. No wins meant no scholarships. I trained hard, competed at nationals, and kept pushing. I didn’t give up, even though there were times I thought about quitting. Boxing is my passion, but you have to live, too. I don’t like to complain—I had food and shelter. But growing up without a father, I felt a responsibility to help my mom. I almost got a job back then.’

Abbasov’s father, a national champion boxer in the USSR, passed away when Vakhid was only nine. ‘He taught me boxing early on. After he passed, I joined a gym. I wanted to make him proud, to achieve something he’d be proud of. Every win, I think of him and my family. My mom’s been my rock, always supporting me. If my grades dropped, she’d hold me back from training to motivate me. She’s been my drive.’

Reflecting on the support from IBA President Umar Kremlev, Abbasov acknowledged, ‘President Kremlev is doing a lot for us. The IBA Champions’ Night events allow us to compete and earn, which is critical. It’s important to be there for your family, and with IBA’s backing, we can do that. I hope Champions’ Night becomes the leader in pro boxing, and soon, every star will be chasing the IBA belt. That’s the direction it’s heading, and I see all the effort being put in. It’s only a matter of time.’

Watch live on 3 November 2024 at 19:30 (GMT+4)

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

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