Interview with The president of Belarusian Boxing Federation Dmitry Tikhomolov: "Fair Fight – Fair Chance" our Slogan for Minsk 2013

Dmitry Tikhomolov
BBF President

Only 2 days left to the beginning of the XL EUBC Boxing Championships, which will hav their ringside in the shining Palace Of Sport set in the Belarusian Capital City: Minsk. To present in the best way this Tournament, EUBC Press Office had the Honor to have a good chat with the BBF President Dmitry Tikhomolov

1. Dear Mr. President, the fortieth Edition of the EUBC European Boxing Championships is upcoming. How are the Belarus and the BABF getting ready for the most important Continental Boxing Tournament?

 Thank you for the interesting information in your question: sincerely speaking I have never thought that the event will be an anniversary edition. This fact will probably add some positive excitement for us as the organizers of the Championships. The more so because the Belarusian boxers, our federation, the state organizations, members of the LOC, have been undertaking impressive actions since receiving the right for the Championships to organize this most important continental tournament in correspondence with the highest standards of AIBA and EUBC. For our boxers personally this period has been perhaps the most tense in their sports-life. The tasks given to them are very high and strained. The training process has been very intensive as well. We have in mind that the main goal is the preparation for the Olympics in Rio. And this Chamionship is the most important stage on the way to the Olympic Games.

2. This is the second edition hosted by the city of Minsk, where at least 250 Boxers will come till the end of may. From the techical point of view, What do you expect from this Tournament?

 Today we can say already that almost 300 of boxers will come to Minsk, and it might happen it will be the most representative European tournament. What expectations ? Sorry to sound overemotionally, but first of all – the expectation of the festival, sports festival. All genuine athletes, who love their sports, enjoy greatly the training sessions, and if they have opportunity to compete, to compare their force and skills with other boxers – they get real drive. And the tournament of such level as the European Championships will really bring the storm of emotions – the chances and failures, the rupture of the success and tears of disappointment. It will be like in real life. It is true, it will be the second time for the event in Minsk after year 1998. And I hope very much that the participants’ memories of it will be the same as of our generation – that we are one big family, devoted to our favorite boxing sport.

3. The Belarus Boxers will really want to shine in front of theri supporters. How many medals do you think Belarus Athletes are goin to get?

You know, I would propose to leave the forecasts for bookmakers. And our intention, as well as any other participant-team’s is to show the best result, stand in fighting, to give all the forces to get the victory. Of course, there will be double responsibility on our boxers – all the country will watch their pursuit to win The best answer to this question is in the slogan of Minsk Championships: Fair fight – Fair chance!As we understand, it is just the main Olympic idea of AIBA and EUBC management.

4. What do you think will be the best Boxers and the best team of the XL European Boxing Championships?

My proposition – let us leave this intrigue for the finals.