“Ukrainian boxer gave interview Sport.ua”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
In an exclusive interview for Sport.ua’s website, Maxim Prodan spoke about his further plans, title and life in Italy.
– Tell us a little about your next match – against the Colombian Johan Nova. How did the fight managed? What do you know about the opponent?
– The battle, which will take place on May 10, organized my promoters to the Italians, because I have not been boxing for a very long time, there was a pause and I needed a fight to return. Therefore, they found such a rival, the Colombian and I will box against him on Sardinia. In fact, I do not know a lot about the opponent, so we will already look in the ring.
– How do you prepare for this duel?
– Everything goes here. I train “Physukh”, work on my paws and continue sparring. I have coaches who help me, as well as take an example from top boxers such as Usyk and Berinchik.
– Are there any further plans after the duel against Johan News? Maybe some grand battle is planned?
– Yes, there is already information. On July 14, I will fight for the title of Ebu Silver (Silver Champion of Europe) against the Bulgarian boxer. The match will take place in Milan.
– How do you evaluate the current situation in your weight category? What opponents would you like to meet
– I would like to box against Konor Bann, I somehow had such an opportunity, but the fight never happened for some reason. He was very scattered, at the beginning of his careers only boxed with bags and even fell from them. But as the facts show, he made a very strong cherry jump and spent many duels. I would gladly meet with him in the ring.
– If you do not take into account Benn, are there any other desired rivals?
– There is no such thing, I just want to fight the best fighters in the rating.
– As far as we know, you are performing in Italy for a long time. What country are you boxing now?
– I present myself, but of course, when I am in the ring, I also raise the flag of Ukraine and the flag of Italy.
-By the way, in Italy there is also Peter Frolov, who recently performed at the WBC Grand Prix. Are you familiar with him? What do you think of him?
– A very good boxer, I know that he and my friend conducted sparring, but personally unfamiliar with him. He has a very interesting box.
– Do you communicate with Ukrainian boxers now? Who do you consider very promising?
– Yes, I communicate. I like Karen Chukhajan, Petrosyan. I also communicate with Vyacheslav Senchenko and Andriy Kotelnik and many boxers and coaches.
– What are your expectations from the duel Usik – Duba 2?
– I think that Usik is much stronger than Duba.
– That is, the British has no chance of winning?
– It is not necessary to talk about it, because it is boxing and chances in principle, but Usik is much stronger.
– What is your forecast for battle?
– My forecast is the victory of Usika by knockout.
– You are no longer a young boxer and spent a considerable number of matches. Tell us what your main goal is in a boxing career?
– My main goal is to become a world champion. Vyacheslav Senchenko somehow said that I needed to win the title. So you will gain glory and, of course, make money. We must believe this, because perhaps God has such plans.
– How do you evaluate Vyacheslav Senchenko, as a coach, as a person and as a boxer?
– He is a wonderful person. When I was in Ukraine, I met him, he was in training. Senchenko is a very good coach and works with top boxers, such as Karen Chukharang.
– What can you say about boxing in Italy? Is there at least one boxer of Vasily Lomachenko level?
– No, there is no such here. The whole problem of Italy is that the comfort zone is here and no one tries to work on themselves. They have no hunger, because there is stable work, stable money. They can afford to walk quietly on pizza, on land and cappuccino and sit in the comfort zone. In Ukraine, everything is the opposite, because prices are like in Italy, and wages are much lower.
– How did your move to Italy happen? How did you start boxing there?
– At the age of 20 I moved to Italy and started training, sparring. Then I started organizing matches for which I received 50 euros. Imagine a fee – 50 euros. It is impossible to live so, so we had to work often on other work, such as a loader or for construction.
Well, honestly, now too, sometimes work in other works, because there are no such millions of fees.
Instagram. Maxim Prodan – You have been living in Italy for a long time, and when you were last in Ukraine? Do you still have relatives there?
– Yes, I have many relatives there, there is aunt, there is a sister, I support them and communicate with them. Also, my grandmother died and unfortunately, I could not come to her burial because of war.
– In Italy, do you live in your own home or rent?
– Thanks to the parents, thanks to my dad, who has been living in Italy for a long time, we were able to apply for a mortgage and pay for the home this way. I live near Milan, although this city is not very comfortable for transportation, because there are so many congestion there, it is very inconvenient to move. However, I really like to live in Milan’s suburbs, I have a forest where I can run out in the open air, I 10 minutes by car to the nearest subway station, and in general, the location is very good.
– Is there any minuses in Italy? Which?
– There is probably the greatest disadvantage of the Italians is that they are not in a hurry. For example, I am constantly rushing, I make more sparring, I want to go to the US for a meeting, I want more matches. That is, I do most, but the Italians – no, they love the calm pace of life.
– Do you plan to move on a permanent basis in the US?
– Yes, I’m ready for it, just give me the opportunity. My wife is a citizen of Kazakhstan and she is ready to move at any time.
– If it’s no secret, what is your record fee in a boxer’s career?
– My biggest career fee is 19,200 euros for Florian Mark’s match in London, in the Usik – Joshua Supercardcard. But, in fact, it is very little, because you need to give a few percent of one coach, another coach and manager.
– And what fee should you have for the match against Johan News?
– Honestly, I do not know, because I did not discuss it with the manager. But, for example, a 6-rand duel, a fee can be approximately 3,000 euros. My father sometimes tells me to leave boxing and look for a normal job.
– What are your sources of income except boxing?
– I work as a personal trainer, I have an hour worth 50 euros, so if there are customers, then the income is good. I also have a friend who sometimes gives a job to me, such as carrying something.
– You have 100 thousand subscribers on Instagram. Maybe you can make money on advertising?
– Sometimes about They jump off some suggestions, that is, it happens that people ask something to advertise. Plus I went out at Tiktok now, I started earning a little.
– Not having serious income, how do you manage to live in such an expensive country and also keep your family?
– I just work, I do personal workouts, save money. Plus I have parents who have been in Italy for 20 years and they have been helping me very much.