KUDRATILLO ABDUKAKHOROV
Paul Wheeler talks to a man who made his father’s dream become a reality
‘ONCE I WAS EXPOSED TO BOXING, MY PASSION GREW’
‘I CRIED WHEN I LOST AT AN AMATEUR BOXING COMPETITION’
When and why you started boxing:
I started boxing at the age of nine years old. It was always my father’s dream for his son to become a boxer. Once I was exposed to the world of boxing, my passion and love for the sport grew.
Favourite all-time fighter:
My all-time favourite fighter is Kostya Tszyu.
Best fight you’ve seen:
The best fight I’ve seen on television is the match between Canelo Alvarez and “GGG” [Gennady Golovkin].
Personal career highlight:
My best achievement is definitely winning the WBC Silver welterweight championship against Charles Manyuchi [rsf 1 – March 2017].
Toughest opponent:
So far, it’d be Dmitry Mikhaylenko [w ud 12 – July 2017]. He’s a very strong and skilled fighter.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My strengths are my endurance and speed, while my weakness is a lack of power.
Training tip:
My best advice would be to always listen to your coach. There will be times when you might not understand the bigger picture, but always obey your coach as he or she knows best.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I enjoy eating the national food of Uzbekistan. Best friends in boxing:
In boxing, my best friend is my coach, Ilgar Aliev. He always has my best interests at heart.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
I’m perfectly happy being a boxer.
Last film/tv show you saw:
I usually watch comedy TV shows.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
There’s no one in particular that I’d pick.
Have you ever been starstruck:
No, I’ve never been starstruck.
Last time you cried:
The last time I cried was when I lost at an amateur boxing competition. I was 18 years old at the time.
Best advice received:
The best advice I’ve ever received was to move into professional boxing and not look back. This advice was given to me when I was 20 years old.
Worst rumour about yourself:
That my fight against Manyuchi was rigged and wasn’t clean.
Something not many people know about you:
I’m actually a very shy person.