In an exclusive interview for WBC Ukraine, Petro Ivanov shared his expectations abot the bout that will take place this Saturday versus Gino Kanters.

It is worth noting that according to the latest results, Petro Ivanov ranks 21st in the WBC ratings in the super middleweight. 

The Ukrainian boxer won his first WBC Youth title in 2019 by technical knockout. Soon, in 2020, he knocked out his opponent and won the WBC International Silver title, and a year later won the WBC International in the super middleweight 

About training, injury, expectations from the opponent, future plans and the desire to do boxing with Canelo:

What are your feelings before the bout?

Before the bout, there is a general feeling of confusion: you are worried, because the bout is very important. On the other hand, on the contrary, you feel adrenaline, because you want to experience these feelings again, stand in the ring and box again.

Your last bout was last summer, it's been a long time. Don't you have extra fear because you haven't been in the ring for a long time?

I did not box for a year because there were health problems, some injuries had to be healed. But also with a bout, it is not easy with everything. Now, due to the war and the difficult situation in the world, many athletes have problems with bouts, because it is very difficult to organize a good bout at the moment. Therefore, basically everyone now boxes once every six months, or once a year, as in my situation. I think in any case, it doesn't hurt to show me a good bout, even though I haven't boxed in a year. But it was a good training camp and sparring partners, so I hope that I will be able to do a great show for my viewers and fans.

How about your opponent?

I expect that the bout will go the full distance, because my opponent has never lost by knockout. In general, the guy is physically fit. In terms of technique, I think I'm still better as a boxer, but in terms of conditioning and punching power, he's a pretty strong guy.

So you don't expect a knockout yet?

I'm not setting myself up for a knockout, but I don't know how it will be. There will be a knockout - it will be good, I will be happy.

What are your general plans for the future? How do you plan to move forward? Are you planning to go for the WBC World Champion title?

Well, that's why we're doing this bout now. A week ago, I held the 6th place in the IBF ratings. Now they have completely changed the boxers in the top 15, so I already occupy the 7th place, but after defending the title, I will probably be in the top 5.

When I enter the top 5, I will have more opportunities to fight for the IBF World Champion title. Or I will get Eliminator, which is approaching the title of World Champion, because a person who owns the title of Eliminator - becomes a mandatory contender. Therefore, I hope that after this bout I will have such an opportunity, and I will box either for the Eliminator or for the World Champion.

Do you have a boxing dream, maybe a certain boxer with whom you would like to box?

I don't have a certain boxer with whom I would like to box, because everything changes very quickly in reality, and to think now about a certain boxer like "I would like to be there with Canelo...". With Canelo, of course, everyone would like to box and earn money for a bout with him, to be honest. Even the salesman from ATB also wants to do boxing with Canelo. Therefore, in fact, there is no such opponent with whom I would directly like to box.

There is a dream to box in America. I think every boxer dreams of boxing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at least once. This is a dream for me.

Are you now territorially permanently located in Germany, do you not come to Ukraine? Do you still stop by sometimes?

No, I am currently in Germany, because I am constantly training here.

Almost all of my family is in Ukraine, only my mother has been with me recently, the last 2 months. And so the older brother is in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the younger one trains children in Nizhyn.

Do you cross paths with any of the Ukrainian boxers, perhaps with Oleksandr Zahozhiy?

Oleksandr and I crossed paths when he last boxed in Hamburg. We came to support him. And so, in principle, I do not cross paths with our boxers, because now, as you know, our boxers hardly ever box.