(8-0, 2 KOs) will enter the ring on November 18 in Yekaterinburg as part of a boxing evening organized by Titov Boxing Promotions. The 30-year-old Lyubertsy native will face his first-ever defense of his WBC Asian Boxing Council Silver title against tough Filipino peer Carlo Magali (20-8-3, 10 KOs). Pavel Malikov, who had already fought in the central Ural capital in July this year in the same show with Sergei Kovalev himself, shared his opinion about his counterpart, talked about preparing for a fight and how he tunes in for a fight, and also told the audience what to expect from him 18 November.
- When did you start boxing and why did you choose boxing?
He started boxing at the age of fourteen. At first I liked it, then I got involved.
- How would you describe yourself as a boxer in terms of fighting style? What style in the ring is closer to you?
I have an aggressive style of fighting and I act like a tempo player.
- Does it matter to you whether you speak in front of a full hall or in front of half-empty stands?
It doesn't matter to me at all, first of all I prove to myself that I am stronger than my opponent.
- How important is the support of the public for you?
The support of the public is essential.
How do you tune in for the upcoming fight on the day of the fight? Are there any special rituals or signs before entering the ring?
I go to church before the fight.
Is your opinion about the gaze duel after the weigh-in - is it just a formality or can this duel be won or lost psychologically even before the fight?
It doesn't matter to me.
- How did you get into TitovBoxingPromotions?
Alexey Titov noticed me. He was impressed by my fight (for the title of champion of Russia in lightweight February 22 in Sochi - approx. ed) and offered cooperation - so I ended up in Titov Boxing Promotions.
- What can you say about the atmosphere in the new team and the relationship with the new promoter?
The new team is very cool, all the guys are cool as boxers and as people. I also have a good relationship with the promoter. Everything is going smoothly and well.
You were on training camps in Kyrgyzstan, now you train in Yekaterinburg. How has changed training process compared to Moscow?
In Kyrgyzstan, the training camp was one hundred percent. I feel great as never before. Now my training process has increased and I have two or three trainings a day. You can say that I live by boxing - and this is the most important thing for me. The guys in Yekaterinburg are doing their best, and this motivates me in preparation for November 18th. So, my life has changed for the better!
- What do you know about your upcoming rival and have you seen him in action?
I don't really know anything, but I saw him in the ring, and there I will decide everything.
- What did you notice for yourself in the first place in the manner of a Filipino?
I saw a lot of things and will do everything to beat him.
In your last fight, you won ahead of schedule against a staunch opponent - will you strive to win by knockout this time too, or are you counting on the entire distance?
I won’t think about it - everything will be visible in battle.
Have a nice and entertaining duel.
- What do you think - when will you be ready to fight for the title of world champion?
Everything has its time.
Lyubertsy # 1. How "Bully" knocked out fellow countryman Pacquiao
It was hot in Lyubertsy.
On October 27, in Lyubertsy near Moscow, the longest-playing among domestic promotion companies "Titov Boxing Promotions" organized a large-scale professional boxing tournament called "Lyubertsy # 1" for all connoisseurs of noble fist art. Within its framework, nine pairs of boxers from five countries of the world fought in the ring. The honored guests of this evening, which took place at the local Triumph Sports Palace, were such famous domestic boxers as Grigory Drozd, Alexey Papin and others.
Showdowns and knockouts
In the main battle of this boxing show, a local, Lyubertsy 32-year-old boxer came together in the ring Pavel Malikov(14-1, 6 KOs) and 26-year-old but already very experienced Filipino Ernie Sanchez (19-13-1, 10 KOs). At stake in their fight was the vacant title of champion of the Eurasian Federation professional boxing(EBP) lightweight (up to 61.2 kg). Malikov jokingly calls himself a bully, who really liked to fight since childhood and who, having taken up boxing, received the legal opportunity to beat rivals with impunity.
And his opponent Sanchez lives in the same Filipino city of General Santos City as his superstar compatriot. Manny Pacquia O. This Filipino boxer has already boxed three times in the rings of Russia, and all these three of his voyages ended unsuccessfully. Ernie was losing to the domestic fighters who were not beaten at that time, Muhammadhuja Yagubov, Yevgeny Chuprakov and Sergei Lipints. In this regard, he promised at all costs to interrupt this unpleasant tradition for himself. However, he was again disappointed.
After the rivals entered the ring, the anthems of Russia and the Philippines were played. The boxers spent the starting round in reconnaissance in battle. Malikov pressed, but did not fly ahead headlong, urged on by his native audience, although when he hit, he did it hard, investing in blows. During the break new coach Pavel Andrei Lepikhin told his ward that he had already suppressed his opponent morally, and now he needed to be suppressed physically. The mentor demanded that Malikov begin to handle the Filipino harshly, focusing on a side impact with the left on the torso. And it was this blow that soon played a decisive role in the duel.
From the very beginning of the 2nd round, Pavel immediately pounced on Sanchez, showering him with a barrage of clear and hard blows. And it bore fruit. Malikov managed to "feel" the opponent's liver so that he clearly felt it. And when it seemed that the Filipino had already recovered from this bodypunch and even began to counterattack, Malikov struck a combination of four punches, which led to the denouement of the battle. The first three hits hit the Filipino's head, and Malikov put the final point with a hard and accurate left blow to the liver. Sanchez curled up on the canvas, burying his head in it, and was calculated in this position to a clean knockout.
Thus, Malikov closed the offensive April knockout defeat from Indonesian Daoud Yorden, after which he was hospitalized with a fractured rib and which became his first in the pro ring. And now Pavel has again taken the victorious path, starting a new path to the top of the world rankings. One of the main upcoming goals for Malikov, according to him, is to hold a rematch with Jordan.
Battle of two "tanks" from Podolsk and Gelendzhik
The co-main fight turned out to be, perhaps, the most double-edged and spectacular fight of the evening. It brought together two domestic welterweight: 32-year-old Dmitry Mikhailenko(23-4, 10 KOs) from Gelendzhik and 24-year-old living in Podolsk near Moscow, a native of the Ukrainian Kakhovka Alexander Ivanov (16-4, 8 KOs).
A small favorite of this intriguing confrontation was considered the more experienced Mikhailenko, who has behind him several fights held in America, as well as victories over such famous fighters in the boxing world as American Karim Mayfield and Colombian Bradis Prescott. Shortly before this tournament, Dmitry admitted that he used to be inclined to often violate the regime, as well as abuse alcohol and drugs, but now this is all in the past. He, like his friend and teammate Pavel Malikov, works under the leadership of Andrey Lepikhin (Mikhailenko has been cooperating with Lepikhin for the past four years).
However, Alexander Ivanov was very serious about the upcoming fight, realizing that a victory over an opponent like Mikhailenko would seriously increase his reputation, and also significantly advance in the ratings of the main boxing organizations. In this fight, two fighters of a pronounced power style came together. And immediately a fight began in the ring, clinches and mutual overlaps. In general, the starting three minutes turned out to be approximately equal, but Ivanov looked a little better in it.
In the 2nd round there was again an abundance of power struggle, and Ivanov again looked no worse than his more eminent opponent. He often worked with a hard jab and did not lose to Dmitry in the crush and fuss at close range. In addition, Mikhailenko also had a decent bleeding dissection near his left eye. At the beginning of the third segment of the fight, Mikhailenko tried to impose a fight on the opponent, but Ivanov was ready for this and in the future he simply overworked the opponent.
At the beginning of the 4th three minutes, Ivanov hit so hard several times that Mikhailenko backed away. However, the seasoned fighter immediately exploded in response and returned the favor to the opponent. Already in this round, both boxers began to show the first signs of fatigue. During the break before the 5th segment of the fight, Honored Coach of Russia Mark Meltser told his ward Ivanov that he boxed better than his counterpart at long distance and therefore asked him to try to work on it all the time. Lepikhin, who also saw this, on the contrary, advised Mikhailenko to reduce the distance and deliver oncoming strikes.
In the 6th round, the fight continued according to the previous scenario, in which Ivanov looked a little better. In the 7th three minutes, Alexander decided to take a pause, apparently to save energy for the final rounds. However, at the end of the round, the rivals again fell into a double room. The 8th segment of the battle was interspersed with clinches and remote work, in which Ivanov appeared in a more favorable light, more successfully than his counterpart, who acted as a jab. In the 9th round, Mikhailenko decided to work as number two, pulling the opponent towards himself, but this did not bring him tangible dividends. Ivanov, on the whole, was again more accurate.
Realizing that he was losing, Mikhailenko in the final 10th round often rushed to the attack without preparing himself, but Ivanov calmly continued to meet him with a jab, work intensively on his feet, and when necessary, tie in a clinch. The last seconds of the fight passed in a chaotic exchange of punches, which was interspersed with mutual clinches. As a result, all three official side judges naturally gave the victory to the Moscow Region boxer Alexander Ivanov, which naturally caused approval and joy in the stands.
Matador vs. Dancing Assassin and other undercard skirmishes
In addition to the two main fights of the evening, seven more pairs of boxers found out the relationship in the Lyubertsy ring. In the bantamweight fight leading up to the main events, 26-year-old Armenian Narek Abgaryan (11-0, 5 KOs) met with 30-year-old Mexican Efrain Perez (19-11, 14 KOs). Despite the fact that the resident of the capital of Mexico bears the ring nickname Matador, this time his rival played the role of the matador, who also justified his boxing nickname Dancing Assassin.
From the very beginning of the fight, it became clear why Abgaryan managed to achieve the right to box on Olympic Games 2016 year. A boxer from Yerevan acted very gracefully, naturally, often with his hands down, sometimes striking just his choice on an opponent discouraged by his boxing skills. The Mexican simply did not see some of the blows.
Narek's actions sometimes resembled the showy style of the legendary Roy Jones. In the first half of the fight, he did what he wanted with his opponent, mocking him in a sporty way and sometimes just declassing. Only in the 6th round did Abgaryan relax a little and began to flirt, which was used by the Mexican, who finally managed to inflict several accurate hits. However, already in the middle of the next round, Narek stepped up and knocked down his opponent with a whipping right cross over the hand. The Armenian boxer tried to finish off his opponent, but he steadfastly withstood all his impetuous attacks.
In the 8th three minutes, Perez in one of the episodes touched the floor with a glove, but the experienced domestic referee Alexander Kalinkin decided not to count the knockdown, deciding that the fighter had simply lost his balance. As a result, Abgaryan confidently brought the fight to his victory on points, which was unanimously confirmed by the side officials.
The fight of domestic welterweights turned out to be short-term - 26-year-old Alexander Sharonov (10-3-2, 5 KOs) from Balashikha and 32-year-old Evgeny Nikitin from Sergiev Posad (5-3, 2 KOs). Sharonov with a single left hook sent Nikitin, who looked clearly more athletic than he, to a very difficult knockout. The latter needed the help of doctors and he spent about five minutes in the ring in a supine position until he came to himself and was able to get to his feet. To the delight of all those present, Eugene eventually managed to leave the ring on his own.
In the fight, which took place in the first welterweight division, 28-year-old Chechen boxer Adlan Abdurashidov, who was a member of the Russian national team at the 2016 Olympics, made his debut in the professional ring. His rival was Ruben Movsesyan (26-25-1, 21 KO), a 27-year-old Armenian who lives in Tbilisi, a native of the Russian Orel. The latter rushed forward immediately after the starting bell, but Abdurashidov very quickly cooled the attacking ardor of the opponent, constantly shooting him with hard and clear blows from a long distance. And already at the end of the 1st round, Movsesyan refused to continue the fight, referring to the fact that he injured his leg while avoiding the attack of the Chechen fighter.
In the lightweight category, a 32-year-old fighter from Balashikha, Roman Andreev (22-0, 16 KOs), 32-year-old hitherto unbeaten in the professional ring (22-0, 16 KOs), inflicted an early defeat on 30-year-old Evgeny Vazem from Stary Oskol (8-6, 3 KOs). The end of the battle came in the 3rd round, when Wazem's seconds threw a towel into the ring, signaling the surrender of their ward.
In the duel of domestic welterweights, 22-year-old Muscovite Valery Galstyan (4-1, 1 KO) and 18-year-old Vyacheslav Letovaltsev from Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk Region (2-0), the latter celebrated the victory by a split decision.
The fight between beginners in pro boxing Russian heavyweights, 21-year-old Moscow-based Nogai Arslan Yalyev (2-0, 1 KO) and 22-year-old Volgograd player Oleg Fomichev (2-2, 1 KO) ended with the victory of the first by unanimous decision. Using a significant advantage in linear dimensions, Yaliyev tried to act from a long distance, actively working with a jab. Fomichev, on the other hand, tried to close the distance and strike while in close proximity to the opponent. As a result, Yalyev turned out to be more effective.
And in the very first fight of the "Lyubertsy # 1" tournament program, which was held as a featherweight, 22-year-old Alexander Kuimchidi from Usman (2-1, 1 KO) won by a majority vote over 26-year-old Stanislav Predybailo from Grayvoron (2 -3, 1 KO).
Pavel Malikov - biography - career - video of fights
Biography of Pavel Malikov
Pavel Mikhailovich Malikov is a professional Russian boxer in the first lightweight division. Winner of titles WBC Asian, WBC Asian Silver, WBA Asia. Owned the WBO Inter-Continental title between 2017–2018.
When did you start boxing and why did you choose boxing?
He started boxing at the age of fourteen. At first I liked it, then I got involved.
How would you describe yourself as a boxer in terms of fighting style? What style in the ring is closer to you?
I have an aggressive style of fighting and I act like a tempo player.
Does it matter to you whether you are performing in front of a full hall or in front of half-empty stands?
It doesn't matter to me at all, first of all I prove to myself that I am stronger than my opponent.
How important is public support to you?
The support of the public is essential.
How do you tune in for the upcoming fight on the day of the fight? Are there any special rituals or signs before entering the ring?
I go to church before the fight.
Is your opinion about the gaze duel after the weigh-in - is it just a formality or can this duel be won or lost psychologically even before the fight?
It doesn't matter to me.
How did you get into Titov Boxing Promotions?
Alexey Titov noticed me. He was impressed by my fight (for the title of Russian lightweight champion on February 22 in Sochi - ed.) And offered cooperation - so I ended up in Titov Boxing Promotions.
What can you say about the atmosphere in the new team and the relationship with the new promoter?
The new team is very cool, all the guys are cool as boxers and as people. I also have a good relationship with the promoter. Everything is going smoothly and well.
You were at a training camp in Kyrgyzstan, now you train in Yekaterinburg. How has the training process changed compared to Moscow?
In Kyrgyzstan, the training camp was one hundred percent. I feel great as never before. Now my training process has increased and I have two or three trainings a day. You can say that I live by boxing - and this is the most important thing for me. The guys in Yekaterinburg are doing their best, and this motivates me in preparation for November 18th. So, my life has changed for the better!
What do you know about your upcoming rival and have you seen him in action?
I don't really know anything, but I saw him in the ring, and there I will decide everything.
What did you notice for yourself in the first place in the manner of a Filipino?
I saw a lot of things and will do everything to beat him.
What do you think - when will you be ready to fight for the title of world champion?
Everything has its time.
Amateur career of Pavel Malikov
Pavel Malikov's professional career
Watch all fights of Pavel Malikov
| All fights of Malikov: number of fights 15, - 14 victories (6 early victories) | ||||||
| The battle | date | Rival | Location | Rounds | Note | Video of Malikov's fights |
| No. 17 14v-1p-1n (6 Ko) | 20 april 2019 | 🇷🇺 Gaybatulla Hajialiev (6v-1p-1n) (2 KO) | 🇷🇺 Floyd Mayweather Boxing Academy, Zhukovka | SD 10🇷🇺 | Victory on points. Account: 96-94 | 96-93 | 93-95 | |
| No. 16 14v-1p-0n (6 Ko) | 9 february 2019 | 🇷🇺 Vahe Sarukhanyan (19v-2p-1n) (4 KO) | 🇷🇺 Cultural Center Galaxy, Estosadok, Russia | SD 10 🅿 | The result of the fight is a draw. Judges score: Yury Tarantin 94-94 | Dmitry Boldyrev 92-96 | Alexander Kalinkin 96-92 | |
| No. 15 13v-1p-0n (5 Ko) | 27 october 2018 | Ernie Sanchez (19v-12p-1n) (10 KOs) | 🇷🇺 Triumph, Lyubertsy, Russia | KO2 ✅ | Fight for the vacant title of Eurasian Boxing Parliament. | |
| No. 14 13v-0p-0n (5 Ko) | 22 april 2018 | Daud Jordan (38v-3p-0n) (26 KOs) | 🇷🇺 DIVS, Yekaterinburg, Russia. | KO8 ❌ | WBO Inter-Continental title defense. | |
| No. 13 12v-0p-0n (5 Ko) | 15 december 2017 | Deiner Berrio (20v-0p-1n) (11 KOs) | SD12 ✅ | Won interim WBO Inter-Continental title. | ||
| No. 12 11v-0p-0n (5 Ko) | July 9, 2017 | Dykes Kaneko (26v-5p-3n) (18 KO) | 🇷🇺 DIVS, Yekaterinburg, Russia | SD10 ✅ | ||
| No. 11 10v-0p-0n (4 Ko) | March 25, 2017 | Mirzhan Zhaksilykov (10v-2p-0n) | 🇷🇺 PNTZ Palace of Culture, Pervouralsk | TKO2 ✅ | ||
| No. 10 9v-0p-0n (3 Ko) | 17 december 2016 | Adonis Aguelo (27v-14p-2n) | 🇷🇺 Ekaterinburg Expo, Yekaterinburg | TKO4 ✅ | Fight for the vacant WBC Asian title | |
| No. 9 8v-0p-0n (2 Ko) | November 18, 2016 | Carlo Magali (20v-8p-3n) | 🇷🇺 DIVS, Yekaterinburg, Russia | RTD8 ✅ | ||
| No. 8 7v-0p-0n (1 Ko) | 11 july 2016 | Leonardo Doronio (15v-12p-3n) | 🇷🇺 DIVS, Yekaterinburg, Russia | TKO3 ✅ | Fight for the WBC Asian Silver title | |
| No. 7 6v-0p-0n (1 Ko) | 22 February 2016 | 🇷🇺 Nikolay Buzolin (4v-0p-1n) | 🇷🇺 Iceberg Sports Palace, Adler, Russia | SD10 ✅ | Fight for the title of champion of Russia | |
| No. 6 5v-0p-0n (1 Ko) | November 21, 2015 | Sherzodbek Mamayonov (9v-12p-4n) | 🇷🇺 KRC Arbat, Moscow, Russia | UD6 ✅ | ||
| No. 5 4v-0p-0n (1 Ko) | 22 June 2015 | Firdavs Azimjonov (1v-0p-0n) | 🇷🇺 Boxing & Gym Academy, Moscow, Russia | UD4 ✅ | ||
| No. 4 3v-0p-0n (1 Ko) | October 16, 2010 | 🇷🇺 Bayram Mukhamedov (3v-3p-0n) | 🇷🇺 Olimpyskiy Sports Palace, Chekhov, Russia | UD6 ✅ | ||
| No. 3 2v-0p-0n (1 Ko) | September 25, 2010 | 🇷🇺 Andrey Semenchenko (2v-0p-0n) | 🇷🇺 Ice Palace, Murmansk, Russia | TKO2 ✅ | ||
| No. 2 1v-0p-0n (0 Ko) | June 13, 2010 | Khuzhabek Mamatov (1v-2p-0n) |
🇷🇺 Youth, Klimovsk, Russia | UD4 ✅ | ||
| No. 1 0v-0p-0n (0 Ko) | May 23, 2010 | 🇷🇺 Ruslan Berchuk (1v-0p-0n) |
🇷🇺 Red Square, Moscow, Russia | UD4 ✅ | ||
| The battle | date | Rival | Location | Rounds | Note | Malikov - video of fights online |
In two weeks, another boxing evening from RCC Boxing Promotions will take place in Yekaterinburg. The program of the evening includes title fights with the participation of several bright Russian fighters... In anticipation of this sporting event The EAN correspondent managed to visit the training base of Yekaterinburg residents and talk with a participant in the main battle.
When you make your way to the holy of holies, the last thing you expect is to see something familiar there. The gym where the RCC Boxing Promotions fighters train was supposed to amaze with its pomp. The imagination inexorably drew an improved fitness club: an indecently spacious room with two-meter mirrors for constant selfies and scattered dumbbells.
A person who is far from the world of boxing will probably not immediately understand why it was so pleasant to be mistaken in this case. And why the smell of sweat, hitting the nose with a biting hook from the doorway, works better than any reception.
The old guard smiles from the walls: from the "iron" Mike to never defeated Mayweather... Under their and, of course, coaching supervision, the two came together in sparring.
"Where did you let him go? Get away. Get away from him!" - the mentor commands in an even voice.
The fighter does not hear. Passes a tight deuce into the body, but does not fall. The siren rescues.
Some ten meters away, someone is working on a pear. Sharp swings cut through the stale air, the chain above the projectile squeaks brutally, but it does its job: no matter how badly this bag gets, its fate is to return under the uniform blows of the athlete. The main thing is not to inadvertently hurt the neighbors in the heat of training, this is the unwritten law - "do not bother the other."
But don't worry. The guys next to them are perfecting their movements. Their legs evenly measure out a narrow distance between the dangling pears. An experienced boxer feels the space as well as any choreographer. It will be a great success to hit such a fighter with all the will.
We are guests, and therefore we allow ourselves to disrupt the local routine. Pavel Malikov can be pulled out of a well-oiled training machine. While he is here, somewhere on the noisy Lenin Avenue, workers are posting a poster with his name. On Sunday, April 22, in the title fight, Malikov will face off against Indonesian Daud Jordan. In anticipation of this confrontation, the fighter from Lyubertsy agreed to have a little talk with us.
- Pavel, as far as I know, you have been boxing since the age of 14. How did you come to this?
I just liked this sport. Not to say that I was a beginner in sports. For some time I was engaged in acrobatics, then I decided to try boxing. It didn't work at first. And then I got involved in boxing. I liked to fight. Received some kind of special thrill from this. And gradually off we go. Stayed in boxing.
- How did the family react to the decision to engage in such an unsafe sport?
Relatives reacted normally. For them, the most important thing was that I myself should like it.
- This all happened in Lyubertsy? Do not be offended, but, in my opinion, Lyubertsy at the beginning of the 2000s is a rather depressed area ...
No hard feelings. This is exactly how it was. And the choice was the same as everywhere else. Drugs or sports. Senior comrades have become an example for me. I saw them boxing. In particular, my older brother. Not professional, of course, but that was enough for an example. He constantly drove me to the gym: "Was there a training session today? No? So you don't walk today." Plus my dad was very strict. In general, I didn't have to choose. They talked, and I went and did.
- Remember your first gym?
I trained at VDNKh in Moscow. There was a sports club called "Friendship". There I started boxing.
- Do you remember the first coach?
Of course, I remember, I still communicate with him. This is Vasily Nikolaevich Polulyakh.
- Is there any particularly vivid memory of those times?
I immediately met the professionals. Alexander Makhmutov, Anastasia Toktaulova, Misha Tupitsyn trained in this hall. And I trained with them. It was interesting to me! I saw them doing. I saw how Sashka (Makhmutov - two-time champion USSR, two-time USSR Cup winner, winner of the Spartakiad of the Peoples of the USSR, - approx. EAN) arrives with belts. I liked all this, I have always strived for it.
- Did you communicate closely with them?
Of course! For a while I boxed with Nastya Toktaulova (multiple world boxing and kickboxing champion - EAN's note). This was the first time. She weighed 48, at 14-15 I weighed 48-49. And it was excellent school boxing. Vasily Nikolaevich, Boris Pavlovich Prusakov, the kingdom of heaven to him ... Yuri Evgenievich Sudakov, coach of Makhmutov. They gave me a school, they gave me the right preparation.
- And then you realized that the path of a fighter is yours ...
Yes. I loved it. I began to strive for this. I wanted to box all my life. I wanted to be like them.
- Then you were motivated by the example of senior athletes. What motivates you now? Why enter the ring?
I studied this. I can’t do anything else. I trained all my life, boxed all my life. I can’t imagine myself as a conventional worker at a factory - I don’t know how. How do I go somewhere else?
- So boxing has remained more of a job? Or is it still a way of life?
Of course, now it is a way of life for me. Just because I love this job. I get high on what I do. I do what I like.
- And what is your current family's attitude to such work?
My daughter always says: "Keep your hands above your head so that it doesn't come flying in!" In principle, they are normal. This is men's sport.
- Do they go to your fights?
Yes, they came several times. I hope they will come to this one too. Now they live in Lyubertsy.
- And you are partially in Yekaterinburg ... What did you know about our city before moving here?
Nothing. Generally. At first it was, of course, hard. Change of hall, setting. New people. They treated me well, with a soul. Well, I see - people are good. And I liked it here! Everything is calm, no one distracts, I do my job. Preparing for battle. I boxed out - there is time to rest. I'm leaving for my family. Then I come back. Now I have such a way of life.
- There was no thought to move here for good?
There were thoughts. But my wife cannot yet ... Moving with my family is hard. But in the future, maybe, if everything goes well, I hope that we will move here. Why? Because I like it here myself. Small town. All my acquaintances, all those close to me who support me can be there. God forbid, I'll move here.
- So this room deserves to come back here?
Of course. Otherwise, people would not have come.
- There is even no internal competition between the fighters?
We have no internal competition! We all help each other. We learn from each other. We train, look at each other. We motivate. We breathe the same sweaty air, we shed our blood here. You come to the hall and you know what you need to do: from "a" to "z". This is already a habit. Even, you know, already when you boxed, you cannot continue to live without training. I woke up, I need to run.
- So boxing is always with you? Always keep it in your head?
I always have to work out. Even if there is no training, I train myself. It's like a drug.
- Your career began in 2010. Here?
No. My first fight took place in Moscow, on Red Square.
- Remember him?
I remember well. I had my debut. Four rounds. Seriously preparing for this battle.
- And the fight for the first title? Lightweight champion of Russia. Do you remember him well?
Of course. It was very difficult. Such was the test, honestly. The first time this distance is 10 rounds. Moreover, I had been preparing for this battle for only four weeks. So they offered, there was no other way out - pan or disappear, one of two things.
I agreed to this fight, went at my own peril and risk. I knew that the person was prepared. And not in a couple of weeks like me. He prepared the way we are preparing here now. I gathered all the masculine that was in me, all the will into a fist, all my character and reached the end. It was very hard. It seems that this fight was the hardest in my career. There we met Alexey (Titov, head of RCC Boxing Promotions - EAN's note). He came up and invited me here.
- You once talked about public support. Surely the audience expected a completely different outcome for that fight. How did you feel it?
Even if they are not shouting for me, it motivates. Naturally, it's nice when people recognize you. They shout, support, believe in you. It really gives a burst of energy in the ring. You understand that people start screaming your name, support, and you get up! I cannot convey to you these feelings. This is a straight forward push!
- This is not a myth? Is the audience really capable of lifting a fallen fighter to his feet?
Yes. Of course.
- Looking for someone with your eyes when you enter the ring?
I see my people who are near the ring. I see how they are worried. I will look at them, they - at me, and I understand that I have the same responsibility as they do. I need to do this. Why am I training and preparing then? I just can't let these people down.
- Is it scary to enter the ring?
No. There is no fear. Amateurs have it. But you need to step over yourself. And experience helps in the future. There is excitement, this is natural.
- How much does faith help in this matter? Are you a believer?
Yes. I will always go to church before the fight. I will pray, I will leave a candle for health and peace. I will ask that everything goes without injury. There is such a moment.
- When in the fight with Berrio you were counted a knockdown, did your heart skip a beat? How did you feel when you fell?
No, nothing skipped a beat. I knew I was winning this fight. I beat him all ten rounds, I felt that I was winning. Interrupted him. Maybe if the second knockdown had been counted then, I could have lost, but that would have been unfair.
- Nevertheless, the point difference was not high ...
Probably just because of the knockdown.
- And nevertheless, the fate of a temp fighter is unenviable! Stay until the very end, don't try to finish early and send your opponent outright knockout. Great endurance requires ...
We are preparing for this. And morally, psychologically and physically. To be honest, we go to the battle as if it were a holiday. The hardest part is the preparation that you just saw yourself. Fell? It's good that it's here and not there! Thank God! This means that I will be smarter and more collected.
- But the coach is nearby ...
And I hear him in battles. I hear. In this regard, I am very responsible. There is a plan for the fight, and I am following it. This is also tactical training.
- Have you already studied Jordan?
Yes, with Nikolai (Popov, coach, - EAN's note). Everyone was watching. Studied his fights. We know in which round how to behave.
- He is a very experienced fighter ...
May God grant him health!
- Strongly! And yet, what can play in your favor here?
Strength of mind. I am a warrior. He came to my house. Came to beat me. How is it in general? It will fall, whatever it is. And whoever he is ...
- Winning this battle will open up great opportunities. Thinking about future titles?
Naturally. Nearby there is a manager, a promoter with whom we are discussing all this. Here I fully agree with the ideas and opinions of Alexei Titov.
- And what about the supergoal? "I, Pavel Malikov, go to the world title!" Is there no such plan in your head?
All the will of God. How it goes. I am now going my own way and I hope I will reach the end. I don't want to think of anything now. There is a goal in life - to become a world champion, I go to it. In small steps. I'll get there. In a couple of years, I think everything will be fine.
Interviewed by Grigory Leiba
Born on February 28, 1986 in Lyubertsy near Moscow, where he still lives. At first he was fond of acrobatics, but at the age of 14, following the example of his older brother, he decided to take up boxing. At first, Pavel just liked this sport, and later he became involved in it and could no longer imagine his life without boxing. To comprehend the basics of the noble art of fist Malikov began in the sports club "Friendship", which was located at the Moscow Exhibition of Economic Achievements, under the leadership of Vasily Polulyakh. Such professional boxers as Alexander Makhmutov, Anastasia Toktaulova, Mikhail Tupitsyn trained there. In this hall, Pavel received basic skills, school and the necessary training in boxing art.
Serious successes on amateur ring Malikov did not achieve it, because, while training with professionals, he developed an aggressive manner and tempo style of boxing, which is fully manifested only in the pro-ring. His debut as a pro took place on May 23, 2010 on Red Square in Moscow, when he defeated Ruslan Berchuk from St. Petersburg on points. Having spent four victorious pro-fights, Malikov was forced to interrupt his sports career due to the fact that in 2011 he was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy. This time became a hard lesson for Paul, and he never again intends to repeat these mistakes in his life.
In February 2016, in his seventh pro fight, Malikov contested the title of Russian lightweight champion against the hitherto unbeaten Nikolai Buzolin from Tyumen. Pavel believes that it was one of the toughest fights in his entire boxing career. He received an offer to take part in this fight much later than his opponent, who by that time was already purposefully preparing for the title shot. However, having gathered all his will into a fist, Malikov managed to snatch victory in the battle by a split decision. Impressed by this stubborn fight, Russian promoter Alexey Titov offered Pavel to cooperate with his company Titov Boxing Promotions.
After that, Malikov began to seriously train in Yekaterinburg, as well as in other training camps, not only in Russia, but also in the neighboring countries. And already in July of the same 2016, Pavel managed to win the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Silver belt, knocking out experienced Filipino Leonardo Doronio in the 3rd round. In November, he successfully defended this title, having won an early victory in the 8th round over another hardened Filipino Carlo Magali. And just a month later, Malikov won by a 4th round TKO in the third row in his track record of experienced Filipino Adones Aguelo and won the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council lightweight belt.
In 2017, Pavel conducted three more successful title fights... First, in March, in a little more than a round, he dealt with Kazakhstani Mirzhan Zhaksylykov and acquired the WBA Asian champion title. Then in July, as a result of a real war in the ring, he defended this belt, defeating on points the Japanese challenger Daiki Kaneko. And in December, in a fight against Colombian Deiner Berrio, Malikov not only defended his title, but also added the belt of the interim WBO intercontinental champion to it, winning by split decision.
The last fight at this time, Pavel fought in April this year. In it, he suffered the first defeat in his professional career, being knocked out in the 8th round after a missed blow to the torso from Indonesian Daoud Jordan. In a post-match interview, Malikov informed his fans that he was unable to get up from the ring floor due to the fact that that fatal blow from the Asian broke his rib. Pavel also explained that he was not completely ready for the fight, since he entered the ring with several old injuries that were not completely healed, but he assured everyone that now he main goal is holding a rematch with Jordan. But for now, having undergone the necessary rehabilitation, recuperating and properly preparing, Malikov will fight on October 27 in his native Lyubertsy against 26-year-old Filipino Ernie Sanchez.
Fight organizers release