Nugaev

Lightweight Contender Rustam Nugaev Interview: Ready To Do Battle Again

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

In a Real Combat Media international interview exclusive, former world ranked lightweight contender Rustam Nugaev, now free from his contract with promoter Gary Shaw, spoke to Real Combat Media in May 2016 while training for a comeback in his hometown of Perm, Russia.

 

Robert Brizel: “Looking forward to interviewing you.”

 

Rustam Nagaev: “Thank for the attention to me. Definitely I’m going to get back into that squared ring.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Where are you located now?”

 

Rustam Nagaev: “In Perm, Russia.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Rustam, why the 21 month layoff? Why did you take time off from boxing? Why have you been away from boxing for almost two years? What happened?”

 

Rustam Nagaev: “I’d say boxing did take time from me. Speaking seriously, after my defeat by Denis Shafikov, my promoter Gary Shaw stopped working with me, didn’t propose (any new) fights (for me), and didn’t release me from my contract.”

 

Robert Brizel: “What’s your comeback plan for 2016?”

 

Rustam Nagaev: “I feel like I’ll be back in the ring soon.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Tell me about the injuries (you sustained) in the fight with Shafikov.”

 

Rustam Nagaev: “There wasn’t any injury, just a little swelling which looked like a serious injury but really wasn’t. (In fact) I was ready to fight (again) the next night.”

 

Robert Brizel: “In the fight with Shafikov, you sustained a cut on the bridge of the nose, and you also had a cut oozing blood above the left eye. Was your vision affected during your bout with Shafikov?”

 

Rustam Nugaev: “There were no problems with my vision, or my physical condition in general.”

 

Robert Brizel: “How did you feel fighting on Friday Night Fights with Freddie Roach in the opposing corner of Shafikov? Did Roach’s presence affect you in any way?”

 

Rustam Nugaev: “I wasn’t thinking about Freddie Roach, so he was not a distraction.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Did you agree with the decision of referee Jack Reiss to stop the bout?”

 

Rustam Nugaev: “Of course I didn’t agree with the decision of referee Jack Reiss to stop the bout. I’m (always) ready to fight to the death, but I understood he did his job, and he did it perfectly. I thank him for the stoppage, in terms of looking out for my best interests.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Let’s talk about how you feel in your training now. How is your physical conditioning and training regimen progressing in the gym in your current comeback?”

 

Rustam Nugaev: “I’m working very hard now on my physical conditioning for my comeback. This includes working with weights, running and swimming. In two weeks, my training regimen reach the point where I will do sparring with local MMA fighters.”

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