Soliman: I’m going to take Derevyanchenko to school and stop him

Sam Soliman (Photo: Werner Kalin)

By Ray Wheatley — World of BoxingIBF #8 middleweight Sam “King” Soliman (44-13, 18 KOs) will clash with Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (8-0, 6 KOs) in an ESPN-televised IBF elimination contest on July 21 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Soliman talked to Fightnews.com® to say he will take the Ukrainian former amateur star to school and stop him inside the distance to set up a showdown with GGG.

Mike Guy, Elvin Ayala, Jesse Nicklow were the last three opponents of Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Ayala took him the distance. Have you seen any of these fights on YouTube?

Yes – I watched several of Derevyanchenko’s fights. He is very skillful, but as a professional, he hasn’t mixed it with the best middleweights in the world – which he will find out on July 21 at Foxwoods in Connecticut that it is a totally different ball game at the top level. Derevyanchenko is in for a difficult night.

Lou DiBella, who promotes Derevyanchenko, rates him a future world champion. He has had only eight professional bouts but an extensive amateur career with a reported 390-20 record and was bronze medalist in the 2007 world amateur championships. You will be the highest ranked and most experienced opponent he has met. What are your thoughts?

Lou DiBella is confident that Sergiy will defeat me but I have news for Lou, and it’s all bad. The 400-plus amateur fights and eight professional fights against unrated middleweights will not be enough to defeat me. Remember I went to Germany to win the world title and scored a near shutout decision over Felix Sturm who is regarded as one of the greats of German boxing. I’m confident my hand will be raised in victory on July 21.

You have been inactive for 12 months since losing a disputed decision to Dominic Wade. Will there be any ring rust on July 21 against Derevyanchenko?

There will be no ring rust. I have been out of the ring for long periods before and performed at my best. This fight will be televised on ESPN so the fight fans around the world will see Sam Soliman at his very best.

You have had problems with your knee. What treatment have you had? Are you 100% fit for Derevyanchenko?

The knee is totally healed thanks to Jack Dix my physiotherapist. Jack will be with me in New York so the knee will be in great shape.

At 42 years of age, are there any signs in the gym that you are slowing down?

There are no signs that I’m slowing up. My gym form has me throwing more punches each round than before and also my stamina is improving as I get older. I have lived a clean life and it is paying off at age 42. Remember, Bernard Hopkins boxed at the top level until he reached 50 which would be attributed to a healthy lifestyle. I have only eaten organic vegetables for several years. I’m in bed before 10pm every night and up at 6am doing my roadwork each day. Non-drinker and non-smoker. That is what keeps me young. And my lovely wife Maria.

Who have been your sparring partners in Aussie?

Michael Zerafa is my chief sparring partner and he is giving me great workouts. Michael is world class in my opinion.

When do you depart for the USA? Where will you train in New York? Sparring partners?

Team Soliman depart Melbourne airport next Tuesday (July 5). We have 16 days in New York so jet lag will not be a problem. My manager has arranged to train at a New York gym and I will have four days sparring in the USA. Not sure who are the sparring partners.

What would you like to say to your fans on Fightnews.com®?

Please watch Sam Soliman vs. Sergey Derevyanchenko on ESPN on July 21. You will not be disappointed. I’m going to take Sergiy to school and stop him inside the distance and set up a fight with world middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. Sam Soliman will be world champion again.