On the 18 September Frank Warren Promotions will present one of the biggest bill’s in recent British Boxing history, known as “The Magnificent Seven”. One half of the main event is Karo Murat 22-0(13) who know’s he wont have to much support when he enters the ring at The LG Arena to face’s fellow unbeaten Nathan Cleverly. Murat 26, will be looking to make history for his country of birth Iraq by becoming there first World Champion. He fights out of Germany these days having turned pro in September 2006, starting out at Super Middleweight where he won the European title before deciding to move up to Light Heavyweight. He’ll be looking to continue the run of German transplants at 175 after Dariusz Michalczewski and more recently Zsolt Erdei who reigned supreme as champions for the WBO. The fight with Cleverly will be for the Vacant Interim Light Heavyweight crown. The winner could be made up to full champion depending on what happens with a court case that currently surrounds current champion Jurgen Braehmer.
Hello Karo, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly you beat Tommy Karpency over 12 rounds on 1 May what can you tell us about that win and what do you looking back think of that performance?
Karo Murat – Karpency is a good, a strong fighter. You could see that he can box. He moved well. And he did well to get back on his feet after the knock down in the second round. It was a good fight.
Anson Wainwright – Your next fight is supposed to be against Nathan Cleverly. What do you think of the fight? What do you know about Cleverly?
Karo Murat – I have already seen a couple of his fights. I try to internalize his movements and style. He is tall and he is strong, and he has good movements.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your trainer, manager & promoter? Also what gym do you use regularly to train at?
Karo Murat – I am trained by Ulli Wegner in Berlin´s famous Max-Schmeling Gym. My manager is Wilfred Sauerland and my promoter is Sauerland Event.
Anson Wainwright – Your originally from Iraq, you must have a fascinating story to tell. Can you tell us abit about how you found growing up there? Where you living there through all the Gulf War? How did you get involved in Boxing from there?
Karo Murat – Our family original has Armenian roots. And to be honest I do not remember too much about that time because I was too young. I kept asking my father about it but he does not like to speak about it too much. I came to Germany when I was ten years old and at first I did not understand much but I learned the language and quickly found friends. I grew up in Germany so can I tell you a lot about it. I started boxing with 13.
Anson Wainwright – Did you have an amateur career? If so what titles did you win and what was your final record?
Karo Murat – I boxed in the Bundesliga. There were world-class opponents such as Vitali Tajbert or Eduard Gutknecht as well as a lot of strong fighters from abroad. I made around 120 fights, winning 95 of them.
Anson Wainwright – It was only late last year that you stepped up from Super Middleweight having held the European title there. How did you come to step up to Light Heavyweight?
Karo Murat – I kept growing and getting stronger. I always had to make a lot of weight for super-middleweight, so this is much more natural for me. Now I don´t have to focus on losing weight, I can eat whatever I wish to eat. That is a great feeling. All my focus is on my opponents now, not on the food. Light-Heavyweight is a great weight class for me with a lot of great fighters. I am determined to stamp my authority on the division. My goal is to beat the best.
Anson Wainwright – Who do you consider the best fighter you have fought to date and why?
Karo Murat – Gabriel Campillo was very strong. He later became a world champion. But my other opponents also were pretty good, too. Like Karpency, even though he did not have the best ranking, he was tough to beat. His style reminded me of Andre Dirrell – it was a good win for me!
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when you are not fighting?
Karo Murat – I like to spend time with my family and my friends. I love BBQs or just chilling out, having fun!
Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero growing up?
Karo Murat – Prince Naseem Hamed.
Anson Wainwright – Finally what goals do you have in Boxing?
Karo Murat – I want to become the best, beat the best and be world champion soon!
Thanks for your time Karo.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
