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Status: WBC No 1 heavyweight contender – must face champion Deontay Wilder in 2016.

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 230

DOB: September 2, 1979 In: Kursk, Russia

First Boxing Memory: “Difficult trainings (age 13).”

Nicknames: Sasha, White Lion, Knight, Tsar.

Boxing Inspiration: “Never give up and always respect the opponent.”

Favorite All-Time Fighter: “Tyson – very bright, very sensational manner of boxing.”

Favorite Fights: “Ali-Frazier – a few of their fights were very interesting.”

Pre-fight Meal: “General food.”

What Do You Do To Relax: “I never feel stressed (laughs).”

Typical Breakfast: “Rice porridge, curd, sometimes eggs.”

Toughest Part Of Being A Successful Boxer: “Trainings and keeping a good shape all the time.”

Favorite Music: “I do not think you know many Russian bands and singers, my favorite one is

Gwen Stefani – Don’t speak, Madonna – especially early albums, Modern Talking.”

Last Book Read: “War and Peace by Tolstoy.”

Current Car: “I can drive any, now I drive the one that looks like a boxing glove – Infinity Sport FX-35.”

Favorite Movie: “Gladiator, Brigada, Boomer, Fight With A Shadow.”

Training Routine: “The same things as everyone does, but with maximum efforts.”

Toughest Opponent: “It is not the one, who is strong in body. It is one who is strong in soul. For example, Valery Belov – my trainer.”

What Would You Be If Not A Boxer: “Not sure. Maybe I would be a car racer.”

Last Vacation: “Dominican Republic.”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “I watch usually only soccer championship of the world. I support Russians and wish they finally start to win. I just like good games with professional and clever players, and enjoy watching nice football, but I do not support any particular club.”

Greatest Moment of Career: “Olympics (won super heavyweight gold by walkover vs. Egypt’s Mohamed Aly in Athens, Greece in 2004).”

Most Painful Moment: “The boxer does not feel pain. The boxer feels pleasures!”

Funny Boxing Memory: “Before my professional bouts my trainer worries. Once he asked me to put on a mask as he forgot I turned to pro long time ago [smiles]. Lots of stories like this.”

Embarrassing Boxing Memory: “To make excuse in front of my trainer – I am very embarrassed when I am late for the training. But this is only the excuse. In fact I am not embarrassed [smiles].”

Favorite Meal: “Varenik with curd.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

First Job: “I am a life time student.”

Pre-Fight Feeling/Mindset: “I am thinking about my victory and setting up myself for a tough fight.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty and kindness.”

Family: Wife, Irina; daughter Arina. –By Scoop Malinowski

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