It looked as though Lukas Konecny was destined to be one of Boxing nearly men. He had nearly won the European Union title when he lost a split decision to Ruben Varon in 2004 fighting away from home in Spain. His performance was good enough to see him fight Michele Piccarillo for the European title 18 months later; again it wasn’t to be as he lost a close unanimous decision in Italy despite dropping Piccarillo in the second round. Over the next couple of years Konecny stayed busy while waiting for his next opportunity. It finally came when he got his shot at a world title in the spring of 2008 against then undefeated Sergei Dzindziruk, he gave the champion all he could handle over twelve rounds before losing a majority decision. Many fighters would slip away after coming up short on those occasions, not the mentally strong Konecny he continued to keep busy whilst believing in his own ability. Finally last September the Czech Republic fighter won the big one when he beat Matthew Hall to claim the vacant European Light Middleweight title. He’s already defended the title once and is preparing for his second defence on 27 May when he meets mandatory challenger Hussein Bayram. The 32 year old sports a 46-3(22) record and will hope that he can put on an impressive performance in front of his adoring fans and set himself up for a world title fight, he’s currently ranked WBC 6 & WBO 2.
Hello Lukas, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – You will be fighting Hussein Bayram, what are your thoughts on that fight, what do you know about Bayram?
Lukas Konecny – I have studied Bayram’s videos. He is a strong fighter who uses his wits in the fight. He will not give me the victory as a present for sure. That much is certain.
Anson Wainwright – You have fought many times in Prague but never your hometown of Usti nad Labem, what does it mean to you to fight in your hometown? How many fans do you believe will turn up?
Lukas Konecny – That’s not quite right, I fought Aziz Daari in a EU Championship on 17 October 2003 in Usti. Nevertheless the upcoming fight is something very special for me. I am looking forward to seeing my fans at the arena. This is my 50th professional fight and first mandatory defence and the opportunity to perform in Usti makes me really proud. I am sure that the 6,500 hall will be sold out.
Anson Wainwright – You were supposed to fight Rhodes last September but he was forced to pull out through injury and you fought Matthew Hall. You both have a similar style and met each other in the centre of the ring and neither of you let up fighting until the end when you stopped Hall in six. Can you talk us through this fight?
Lukas Konecny – Mathew Hall was able to keep a good pace in the first rounds but I noticed that he will not sustain the pace till the end. I knew I will have him under control by the half. And of course I took the first chance I got. This was my and my trainer’s strategy.
Anson Wainwright – What did it mean to you to win the European title at the second attempt?
Lukas Konecny – I was the happiest man after the victory. I am the first professional boxer in the Czech history to win such a valuable title in boxing. You probably could imagine how proud of it I am. I made boxing history in the Czech Republic with this achievement. It doesn’t matter that I won the title at my second attempt.
Anson Wainwright – You’re ranked highly by 2 of the main sanctioning bodies, are you targeting anyone in particular? What do you think of the current champions WBA Miguel Cotto, IBF Cornelius Bundrage & WBO Sergei Dzindziruk?
Lukas Konecny – I would immediately fight again Sergei Dzinziruk. I have an old score to settle with him. If one of the judges had kept his eyes really open, I wood have became the new champion. Maybe it is my destiny to sort things out at the second attempt. Anyway the WBO Championship is a declared goal for me.
Anson Wainwright – The Czech Republic isn’t known for it’s Boxers, can you tell us how you first became interested in Boxing?
Lukas Konecny – My father was a boxer. He sparked my interest in boxing. As an amateur I went to Magdeburg and got there a chance to develop further. The then president of the amateur club was Ulf Steinforth. 2000 he founded the professional boxing team SES and I switched to pro boxing.
Anson Wainwright – You are considered the best fighter from Czech Republic, what can you tell us about the Boxing scene in your homeland, are there amateurs coming through?
Lukas Konecny – Since my and other amateur boxers, like Rudolf Kraj for example, big achievements, the Czech boxing sport gained more attention. I am coaching currently the Czech national team and I can say, there are more and more young people getting into boxing.
Anson Wainwright – You were a very good amateur and actually represented Czech Republic in Athens at the 2000 Olympic games. Can you tell us about that experience? What amateur titles did you win and what was your final record?
Lukas Konecny – My training as an amateur was an important and very solid basis for me. Actually I am a man, who seeked and found his own style. I was Czech national champion and won a number of tournaments, especially in my time later in Magdeburg. I got the final touch in Germany but nothing would have been possible without my strong will to win.
Anson Wainwright – Who are your team members, your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?
Lukas Konecny – I usually train in Usti and Praghe but the last eight weeks before fights I spend in Magdeburg with my coach Dirk Dzemski. My manager is also in Magdeburg. My promoter Ulf Steinforth made for me possible to come to the point where I am now. He is the person I owe a lot because he trusted in me when I lost the European championship.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing to relax?
Lukas Konecny – In the short free time I take care about my family. I am married and have three children. My family is the most important project for me.
Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have still in Boxing?
Lukas Konecny – It’s quite simple/clear: I want to be a world champion.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Light Middleweight division?
Lukas Konecny – Lukas Konecny boxes his way up, no matter who has the crown I will take it away from him. I want to become the first Czech world champion.
Thanks for your time Lukas, keep up the good work
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
