Marat Balaev: I love challenges and I'm ready to fight

Marat Balaev: I love challenges and I'm ready to fight

Former ACB featherweight champion, Marat Balaev, is scheduled to fight on September 8th at ACB 93 in Krasnodar. He'll face #5 ranked featherweight Murad Machaev. Marat has spoken about this upcoming fight, potential move to the lightweight division and more.

 

- Since loosing the title have you made any changes to your camp and preparation for this fight?

Nothing has changed. Apart from the number of rounds in my fights, now it's going to be three rounds instead of five. Also, less attention, which is a good thing because it's really tiring when you're constantly under the spotlight, when you have to attend press-conferences and stuff like that, it really affects your preparation. But other than that - nothing major.

 

- You have also taken on the role of a coach now, how does it affect your own preparation?

I choose to do it myself, so I'll continue to train my students in two gyms. I made the decision and I'm not going to take anything back. When I'm getting ready for my fight, I'm trying to find someone who can replace me and coach my guys. Initially I wanted to become a coach after I retire, but I started to work with a couple of guys and so it's started. I'm training guys that are really want to make it, guys that are ready to work really hard. So sometimes it affects my preparation. Sometimes it messes up my mindset for a training session but I have to deal with it. There's no going back now. I can't just turn my back on the people who have inspired me, who always help and support me. So I have no choice. I don't want to waste any time because I see guys with huge potential. They could become great fighters. So I don’t want to lose such talent, I want them to succeed.

 

- You're fighting in featherweight division again, how did this fight come around?

I've said in multiple interviews, that if I stay in 66 kilos, I will challenge Machaev for a fight because in our sport you have got to fight the best to be at the top. After my last fight, when they offered me Murad, I declined it. I wanted to fight Raisov at lightweight. Maybe I wouldn't get the fight straight away, but I want to fight him again before I retire. Then, after a couple of weeks, I've spoken to matchmaker and he offered me to fight Murad in 70 kilos. But Murad wanted us to fight in 66. So I thought, if people are interested in this fight - let's fight. I love challenges and I'm ready to fight. I'm not playing politics - Machaev it is.

 

- Now many people are counting you out, what can you say about that?

The thing that motivated me all these years is still inside me but during my title run I've broken my body down so badly, that it couldn't keep up. I have the same mindset, the same desire. For example I couldn't get my conditioning to where it needs to be just because my body was broken down but now I've changed my preparation. I'm trying to learn new things, train smart and recover. Just trying to do things right. Will I be able to do it? Will see at ACB 93. I know I can beat him. It's all up to my health. Psychologically I feel great. Of course you can't predict how the fight will play out. Win or lose - it's all up to God. Esills to beat Murad.

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