Earlier this year Vitali Tajbert 20-1(6) achieved his goal when he was named WBC Super Featherweight champion. Based in Germany but of Kazakhstan decent the 28 year old had beaten Mexican puncher Humberto Gutierrez on points late last year for the Interim title but when another Mexican Humberto Soto abdicated his thrown Tajbert was declared full champion. A few weeks back Tajbert made the first defence of his crown when he turned back perennial contender Hector Velazquez on points when the fight was stopped due to an accidental headbutt in the ninth. Tajbert is a tough European fighter with solid skills who despite a quality amateur resume wasn’t highly though of and had lost his biggest fight when he fought European champion Sergei Gulaykevich in 2008. But you know what they say about what doesn’t break you makes you stronger it worked for Tajbert who while others dismissed him refocused and rebounded to win a world title. Here’s what Tajbert had to say after his recent fight with Velazquez.
Hello Vitali, welcome to 15rounds.com?
Hello, it’s nice to be here and thanks for having me.
Anson Wainwright – Congratulations on making your first defence, what can you tell us about the fight with Hector Velazquez?
Vitali Tajbert – It was a tough job. I was under pressure and the cut in the beginning confused me a little bit. At some point it was difficult to see something with my left eye. But I was lucky as i have two eyes. Sure, it’s a handicap to get such a cut so early but I focussed on my boxing, especially starting from Round 5. Before the bout, I was afraid of a headbutt because of that I wanted highly variable.
Anson Wainwright – How is the cut from that fight healing? Will you need plastic surgery?
Vitali Tajbert – Directly after the bout I went to a hospital. The cut needed 14 stitches. The cut was very deep. But anyway, there are always a solution. Cut or no Cut. A real fighter have to survive everything. That is my attitude.
Anson Wainwright – You were awarded the WBC Super Featherweight title. What can you tell us about the moment you were told you were the full champion? How does it feel now?
Vitali Tajbert – It was the luckiest moment in my life. I worked more than 17 years to win this belt. Many people ask me how it feels to have this belt. It is still amazing. The last 5 years as a pro I worked so hard to get this belt. Now I am the champion and you can be sure that I want to keep this belt for a long time. To me it is the oldest and best boxing association in the world. They’ve had Champions like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis.
Anson Wainwright – How were you received in Kazakhstan after becoming the WBC Super Featherweight champion? How popular are you at home?
Vitali Tajbert – Sure, the people know me but they see me as a German not as a Russian. And my German is a little bit better like my Russian. I am German, but i’m very happy about the support from Kazakhstan und Russia too.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? What gym do you regularly use to train at?
Vitali Tajbert – First of all my promoter is Universum Box-Promotion and I am very happy about that. I feel like a million dollars. Dietmar Poszwa is my manager. He is great. My trainer is Magomed Schaburow. If I would have had Magomed Schaburow at the Olympic Games in 2004, I’m sure that I would have been the Olympic champion. Usually I train in Stuttgart if I have no bouts. During the intensive stage I train in Hamburg.
Anson Wainwright – Do you make 130 easily? What weight do you walk around at? Can you tell us about your dieting for a fight?
Vitali Tajbert – I quit my dinner. I only eat in the morning and after my first training in midday. Of course i eat a lot of un-greased food with vitamins.
Anson Wainwright – You were a successful amateur boxer, you won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. Looking back on that what do you feel about your experience of having fought at the Olympics?
Vitali Tajbert – Olympic Games are fantastic. It’s a very special atmosphere. It is very difficult to describe this feeling.
Anson Wainwright – What other titles did you win in the amateur game? What top fighter that are now in the pro’s did you face?
Vitali Tajbert – As Amateur: x 7 German Champion, Junior World Champion 2000, Gold medal International Chemie-Pokal / Halle 2001, Vice-World Champion / Bangkok 2003, European Champion 2004, Bronze medal Olympic Games in Athens, Gold medal European Championship in Pula / Croatian 2004, Gold medal Military Championship Pretoria / South Africa (Best Boxer of Tournament) 2005
Anson Wainwright – Away from Boxing what do you like to do with your time? Do you have any hobbies you can tell us about?
Vitali Tajbert – I love Soccer. I am a very hard-running and a good midfielder. My friends and i meet us once a week to play soccer together. Some Friends playing in the 3rd German League and i keep up with them. I like the club of my hometown VFB Stuttgart and Hamburger SV too. I am very interesting in international soccer like Barcelona, Madrid, Chelsea etc. But my decision pro boxing was the right decision. Boxing 1st everything for me and gave me a lot.
Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing?
Vitali Tajbert – I started Boxing when i was a young boy in Stuttgart. My first box-club was VFK Germania. Later, i changed to Velberter BC. Next was the German armed forces and my contract with Universum Box-Promotion.
Anson Wainwright – What do you hope to achieve from Boxing? Who are your favourite fighters to watch?
Vitali Tajbert – I don’t have a Idol or something like that. Everyone is on his or her way unique. I like Boxer’s who are not punchers. I like to watch technical boxing on a high level. Of course, i love to see fights in my weight class.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans in Europe and anyone who may see this in America?
Vitali Tajbert – Thanks for your support. I really appreciate that. I hope that i still show great bouts for and with you. I want to show the most proud boxing as possible. If you are satisfied, i am double satisfied. Still believe in me. I will return a blow of interest to you guys. Take a look on Youtube.com/UBPboxing and watch all my Fights in Full Length. And keep clicking on 15rounds.com!
Thanks for your time Vitali, keep up the good work.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
