Lazizbek Mullojonov talked about his fight with Julio Cesar La Cruz at the World Championship, his sparring injury and plans for his participation in the Olympics (interview)
As you know, Uzbek boxer Lazizbek Mullojonov, who participated in the IBA World Boxing Championship held in Tashkent at the weight of -92 kg, won a bronze medal. It is noteworthy that he defeated the legendary Cuban boxer Julio Cesar La Cruz in the quarter-finals and made a sensation.
The journalist of the SPORTS.uz site contacted the boxer and talked about his impressions of the world championship and future plans.
- You participated in the World Championship in a new weight category for you. Wasn't that a challenge?
- In this competition, I had a new weight, new boxers, new opponents. Especially since they are faster than super heavyweights. Even more so, when the tournament lasted 14 days, maintaining that weight for 2 weeks was a bit of a problem. But thanks to God, God gave us strength and we took the 3rd place.
- In that championship, you defeated Julio Cesar La Cruz, a strong opponent. Did you expect this to happen?
- When the results of the draw come out, I saw I might face one of the main opponents, Lacruz, in the quarter-finals. If you remember, I came back from the quarter-finals in the last world championship. Then I motivated myself that if I miss the quarterfinals again... no, it won't happen this time. I used all my strength by asking God. Thank God the battle turned out as we thought. The boxer himself feels something. I was calm before the bout. I told my coach and my father that God willing, I will win. All can be won. The important thing is to believe in yourself and ask God before entering to the ring.
- What do you think you lacked in the semi-final defeat against Muslim Gadzhimagomedov?
- I don't even think that my defeat in the semi-finals was by a huge margin. 5-0 for 3rd round in which I scored a knockdown would have been our victory, but that's how it was. When I say what was lacking, I think that after winning La Cruz, and also after hearing that my opponent had a leg injury, I thought that he might not be able to fight and that I did not take him seriously, giving in to a kind of complacency.
- Recently, a mini-tournament was held in the National Boxing Federation, and you fought in it at +92 kg. Do you want to stay at this weight or lose weight again at -92 kg?
- True, control sparring took place recently. My participation in the mini-tournament became clear shortly. Therefore, in consultation with the coaches, we decided to participate in +92 kg. Because it took 1 and a half, 2 months for me to lose weight to -92 kg. In addition, it was difficult for me to lose weight for sparring and after 2 months for the Asian Games. Therefore, I went to sparring at +92 kg.
- In that mini-tournament, you were injured in the fight against Madiyar Saidrakhimov. Isn't that serious? How are you now?
- Yes, I was injured in this mini-tournament. By the end of round 3, my eyebrow was torn. In the end, I was upstaged, but Madiyar Saidrakhimov continued the tournament because I could not continue in the next round. I won the fight, but in order to recover from the injury, I agreed with the coaches and did not continue.
- The Asian Games provide a ticket to the Olympics. Are you planning to participate in it?
- God willing, if possible, we will try to qualify for the Olympics in the Asian Games at -92 kg.
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