Interview of Azerbaijani boxer Johanes Nuriyev (+92 kg) to Idman.biz website
- You won a gold medal in the heaviest weight class at the Azerbaijan Championship. Did you expect this result in the competition you participated in for the first time?
- I wanted to have my say in the championship for years. For me, the national championship will play the role of a key to international competitions. I was sure that you will win the race as well. This confidence was given to me only by the hours I sacrificed for training. That's why I went into every fight very comfortably.
- If you have not participated in the Azerbaijani championships of lower age levels, or if you have not participated, you have not had any serious success. How did you decide to compete in the senior championship?
- I have competed among juniors twice. I took the third place in the championship of Baku and Azerbaijan. It was a start to the sport. The competition among adults was very important for me. I decided and participated.
- Heavyweight classes have always been a "sensitive spot" in Azerbaijani sports. Either there was a shortage of athletes, or they relied on legionnaires. Will you be able to justify yourself at this weight in the future?
- For this reason, I finished two of my 3 fights with a knockout in the first round. Not only do I want to prove myself, but I also want to have my say in each of the competitions that I will participate in in the future.
- One of Azerbaijan's title athletes in your weight class is Muhammad Abdullayev. Are you ready to compete with the double bronze medalist of the World Championship and the owner of the license for Paris-2024, who did not participate in the national championship?
- Muhammad is a very experienced boxer. I have great respect for him. When it comes to competition, I am ready to prove that I will be number 1. Only with this mindset is it possible to move forward.
- If Abdullayev had participated in the Azerbaijan championship, would you have been able to become the champion again?
- There is no problem, I know that we will face him in the ring someday. I also believe that Muhammad is capable of becoming an Olympic champion. But if I win, it will be a great achievement.
- Your name is also interesting. Why Johanes?
- I am Azerbaijani. I was born in Germany. My mom loved this name and I love it too. One day I intend to turn this name into a brand. I think that it is a very memorable name, even if it seems unusual to some.
- How did you come to boxing?
- One day I was beaten up alone on the street. After that day, I promised myself that such a situation would not happen again. At the age of 14, I put on the gloves and never looked back, I was struck by the glory of boxing. Now I express my gratitude to those who singled me out and beat me. Currently, I am training under the guidance of Asgar Eyvazov, Rauf Mammadov and Sahin Imranov. I think I'm in the hands of the best coaches in the country. Although I learned boxing in America, they taught me the intricacies of Soviet boxing.
Banuchichek Huseynli
Idman.biz
