60-SECOND INTERVIEW
Paul Wheeler talks to a man who has a message for Ryan Burnett
‘I WANT TO KICK RYAN BURNETT’S ASS. I KNOW I CAN KICK HIS ASS’ Karim Guerfi
When and why you started boxing:
To tell you the truth, I only started boxing because my father had always enjoyed the sport. I was 14 years old at the time.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Floyd Mayweather, because of his intelligence and speed. Boxing is about hitting and not getting hit, and he has never taken a lot of shots.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Diego Corrales-jose Luis Castillo I. It was an incredible fight.
Personal career highlight:
I think my best performance came during my victory over Alejandro Gonzalez Jnr [w ud 10 – November 2015] – R.I.P [Gonzalez was murdered in December 2016]. I fought an intelligent fight in that one.
Toughest opponent:
Juan Carlos Reveco [l ud 12 – May 2012], who I fought in his home country of Argentina. I didn’t have enough experience at the time, and Reveco was a really smart fighter.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My main strengths are my quick hands, fast feet and ring IQ. I need to make sure that I always keep my concentration.
Training tip:
Always stay serious and never neglect training.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
My favourite meal is a kebab.
Best friends in boxing:
My best friends in boxing are my hands!
Other sportsman you would like to be:
I wouldn’t want to be any person other than myself, but Muhammad Ali’s life was pretty incredible. Last film/tv show you saw:
I don’t watch TV much – often only for boxing. I do watch a French TV show now and again, though. It’s called Touche pas à mon poste [It’s Only TV].
Who would play you in a film of your life:
That’s a good question! Maybe Brahim Asloum. He’s an actor as well as a former boxer.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Oh no, never.
Last time you cried:
I’ve only ever cried twice in my life – when I won my first European bantamweight title, and also during the birth of my daughter.
Best advice received:
My father always told me to believe in myself at all times and in every situation.
Worst rumour about yourself:
I’ve never heard a bad rumour about myself – really nothing.
Something not many people know about you:
I want to kick [WBA and IBF bantamweight champion] Ryan Burnett’s ass. I know I can kick his ass.
‘I WANT TO KICK BURNETT’S ASS. I KNOW I CAN KICK HIS ASS’