Kubrat Pulev is the new WBA World Boxing Champion after defeating Mahmud Char on points - 117:111, 117:111 and 116:112, in a match that took place in the “Sofia“ arena. How I saw the meeting… Boxing specialist Mihail Takov spoke to FAKTI. He is an eight-time Republican champion. He won a bronze medal in the 71 kg category at the World Championships in Munich in 1982. Three times he was third at European championships. He is the winner of the silver award from the “Drujba” tournament. in 1984, organized for the countries boycotting the Los Angeles Olympics. World champion for military personnel and long-time captain of the Bulgarian national boxing team. Twice he was appointed coach number 1 of Bulgaria. He is currently the coordinator of all national teams in the boxing federation.
- Mr. Takov, we already have a heavyweight world champion. Kubrat Pulev did this after defeating Mahmud Char. As someone who has spent his entire life in boxing, how do you feel about this?
- Kubrat recorded a spectacular success - we experienced it. We saw a Bulgarian become a heavyweight boxing world champion. And this year we are celebrating 100 years of Bulgarian boxing, so this is a great success for boxing, for all those who love boxing, for all coaches and all managers. I've been in professional boxing for 35 years now, have we had guys fight for titles, we've had official challengers. We have evolved. Actually, yes – we lived to have a world champion and that too in the heavyweight category.
- Kubrat Pulbev said that this title is for Bulgaria and not so much for him. Yes, it was his dream…
- Look, this is a spectacular success for Bulgaria. I have already mentioned the 100-year anniversary of boxing. Here it is appropriate to mention our fathers, who nursed us through this sport. Yes, I'm glad to be somehow associated with this success after so many years It's hard work, a lot of hard work. As I have always said - sooner or later, hard work always pays off.
- How did you see the match. How were the two prepared, what level of boxing did we observe…
- We had many conversations with Kubrat. We expected Char to be more aggressive, to attack. We played out many options to be prepared, so there would be no surprises. We knew where and what to expect from the opponent. Otherwise, I can say that the meeting went within normal limits. Victory on points. The truth is that the success is very great.
- As if Char was not so aggressive…
- We had played this option as well. We expected him to attack, to go more forward. He did some things at times, but that's his tactic. In boxing at the heaviest, every mistake is punished. Kubrat played to win – and succeeded.
- Was Kubrat tactically disciplined. Did you do what you were supposed to and follow the instructions on how to run the paint?
- Winners don't judge them. In sports, this is a maxim. The successes remain. Otherwise, it can always be more. He could do more with the front hand, he could finish more with the left, with a left hook. At times, he let out a lot of power. In general, everything went normally.
- So everything that was planned was fulfilled…
- Look, in certain situations the rhythm was broken. However, the opponent also had its strong moments, but after that everything was fine. Boxing 12 rounds for a heavyweight title is a long time. It is normal to sometimes lose the pace for both.
- Kubrat Pulev did not take a single break in the chair. Did he feel physically fit enough? Was this a class about tactics?
- Kubrat was very well prepared. During the breaks, I watched Char's face and how the people on his team acted. There was some concern in the coaches' faces, there was fatigue in Char's face. He was getting up at the last moment from the chair. As for Kubrat, this has been his style for a long time. That's how he's used to it - not to sit down during the breaks.
- How many years have you known Kubrat and Tervel…
- Their father, may God forgive him, Venko Pulev brought them both to the CSKA hall 30 years ago. Tervel was 12 years old, Kubrat was 13. Venko Pulev played together with my father in Spartak, as well as with another famous boxer - the first boxing master of sports Yordan Gulev.
- What Kubrat and Tervel looked like then…
- We enrolled Kubrat and Tervel in the sports school. We didn't know what was going to come out – will it be a tadpole, will it be a fish, will it be a frog. I know that their father – Venko, supported them in every one of their endeavors in sports. They were lively children in the game - both in football and in basketball. In all competitions. They were leading, they always wanted the victory. We've had a lot of good moments, we've also had losses. But the way in sports is like that.
- Kubrat became world champion at the age of 43. What is this age for boxing?
- I was taking stock because I have been a coach for so many years, but we have not had competitors in boxing who played until these years. In amateur boxing, there is already a regulated limit for competitors under 40 years of age. There is no limit in professional boxing.
- Given the form in which you see Kubrat, how much longer can he be at the top level?
- I can't say. Everything depends on him - how he feels, family, friends, the environment in which he lives. As far as he could tell. Many people may speak differently because they will be looking from a different angle. Usually, in the heavy categories in professional boxing, they have fewer meetings per year – 1 or 2. But it is important to say that the meetings are with the best, with top level competitors. And that requires you to always be in great shape. So only Kubrat can judge how much and how. He can always say “enough”. Kubrat has two beautiful children. Tervel has three children, a nice family, friends. They also have a business. So the environment around them is normal. How much more can Kubrat… He will judge how he feels, what shape he is in. Kubrat and Tervel are great examples for everyone involved in boxing and sports in general. They are a prime example.