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Legendary Bulgarian boxing coach Mihail Takov, who is the coordinator of our national team, spoke to Betenemy about Kubrat Pulev’s upcoming match against Anthony Joshua, as well as the European Youth Championship, which took place in Sofia.
– Mr. Takov, there are less than two weeks until Kubrat Pulev’s match against world champion Anthony Joshua. What are your expectations for the battle and what are the Cobra’s chances?
– The most important thing now is to be healthy. In this dynamic environment, it is very difficult to say where what can happen in these last days can happen. We are already waiting for you. Kubrat is healthy, he cooks with good coaches and training partners. You go to another country, under another regime and laws and requirements. There, too, you must watch until the game.
– How does this whole situation affect preparation?
“As it is for him, so it is for Joshua.” It depends on who endures all this tension, which is now everywhere.
– What are Kubrat’s strengths for this match?
– In the game it is important to tactically oppose what Joshua’s team will offer. Two tactics will be promoted. At the start of the game with 50 to 50. In the game itself you will see how things go. The tactics and strategy of our team will be seen. Joshua can take different options. We saw it in a completely different light in the second game with Andy Ruiz. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving office. The psyche is also important, it is important if there will be an audience and of what type.
– You talk about tactics. Perhaps this is the most important thing for a world title match?
– Tactics are extremely important, as is psyche. Experience will also play a role. Alexander Usik’s match against Tony Bellew, which was left without an audience, was also different.
– If there is little or no audience, who will benefit from this in the match?
– It’s hard to say. I was in Kubrat Pulev’s match with Klitschko. The room and the audience were unique. There were many Bulgarians, it was perfect. However, there were other circumstances: a very long announcement, long before the start of the match. It was 30-40 minutes in which the team did not know exactly what time the game would be. Pulev warmed up, came out with the cape, to keep warm. This has an impact, nothing that is seemingly small.
– What are Joshua’s weaknesses?
– Everyone has their weaknesses. When doing tactics, it is done like this: our strengths, our weaknesses against the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses. We are seeing what the rival’s strength will oppose to reach a favorable end to the game.
– What is your prediction for the match?
– If I knew, I’d bet and be a millionaire. I’m Bulgarian, we’ve been together with Kubrat for so many years and I really want him to win. Everything must be taken into account to have a good end to the meeting.
– A European youth boxing championship is currently being held in Sofia. Bulgaria has a title, medals… How do you rate the performance of our boys and girls?
– First, we must not forget that last week we finished the other European Championship, where we did it excellently. I must welcome our federation, the international and the European, which allowed these championships to take place. The ministry also allowed it to take place. We had difficult situations, but they passed quietly and meekly and here are the successes. It is difficult, an empty room, only with judges and coaches, these are young athletes who are the future of our sport. All the boys on the men’s team came from juniors and teens. Yes, some will leave, but others will join the men’s team and they are the future of this sport in our country.
“You mentioned the word ‘future’. Is the future of Bulgarian boxing bright?
– In these difficult situations we participate and we have kids who play and win. This is good exercise for them and it is important for coaches. In these dynamic times, it is clear that there is a future. The fact that certain countries do not participate in the championship does not diminish the success of the Bulgarian athletes, coaches and our federation.
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