Fedor’s goal: Family to end up in heaven

. Participants in the Russian language interview clips are:

Deniv Lebedev: Boxer , 21-1 record , only loss in the last fight robbery split decision in Germany against local champion

Vladimir Voronov: Fedor’s trainer for over a decade.

Nikolay Valuev: Boxer , 50-2 record .

Alexander Povetkin: Boxer, Olympic gold medalist in boxing, leading contender as a pro.

Vadim Finkelstein, Fedor’s manager, owner of M-1

Jean Claude VanDamme: Actor, three-time Oscar winner.

Van Damme’s replies are not translated – you can hear what he says for the most part of the video.

Nikolay Valuev : Of course … he is a fighter , such a calm human being in real life , in the ring he doesn’t show mercy , he is ruthless . I will tell you I am not a mean person either , in the ring there is one rule ”either you or your opponent” .

Alexander Povetkin : Nerves and motivation have been trained over the years , years of competing , some cant control themself , sometimes they fight in lets say a foreign country and it doesn’t work . A lot is decided in the head , a lot and Fedor can control himself and motivate , push himself . Most important he has character and never gives up .

Vladimir Voronov : He is a kind person , sometimes he could be more aggressive , more decisive in a fight . He is generous in a fight , different from his opponents , there were some moments where he could be more rough but if he sees he can win other way he will try not to hurt his opponent even if they fight ”dirty” Fedor always fights clean without any ”dirty” moves/tricks .

Denis Lebedev : Once I’ve asked him , Fedya how to do motivate yourself , give me a tip , what helps you … And he told me very simple : Denis remind yourself of a past victory, remind yourself of the positive emotions you have had and before you come out for the next fight remind yourself of all those feelings you had after a victory and concentrate on those . This will help you not to ”burn out” and come out in prepared mental shape .

Nikolay Valuev : Definitely he is a religious person , once asked what he wants in this life he said he wants his family , himself included to end up in heaven . Can you imagine how much you have to do in this life to end up in heaven , I think this is a very tall order . For all his fights he comes out to these days , this is not just an image , this is his own position in life , to come out wearing a cross .

Alexander Povetkin : He is a real russian person , real russian man .

Denis Lebedev : Faith says a lot about the person , I don’t know if it’s right or not , I am not the one to judge but if he has it then it suits him .

Vladimir Voronov : Nature gave him character , I hope god gives other sportsmen such a character . Everything else is work , work , work . If he will work he will win , if he wont work he wont win .

Denis Lebedev : In a fight there is no mercy to anybody , not even in sparring . When the round has ended or sparring we can drink some tea together and go home . Even in training you have to be like you are facing an enemy .

Denis Lebedev : I remember his fight with the huge korean , really big guy and Fedor has won with armbar submission , he has finished a lot of fights like this . Fedor tried to armbar him and this huge guy just stood up and tried to shake Fedor off his arm . Fedya was hanging on his arm in the air , there was a big size difference .

Nikolay Valuev : It has to be really tough to be unbeatable and knowing there will be atleast one person on this planet that can win .

… Nothing lasts forever , but everybody comes out differently from those situations , some break down but not someone like Fedor .

Denis Lebedev : Any sportsman will have a loss sooner or later , for every force there will be some other force to defeat theirs .

Alexander Povetkin : I was sad , sad for Fedya but not disappointed with him , I know he will be back , anything can happen , anybody can lose .

Vadim Finkelstein : Loss via doctor stoppage , first round was Fedor’s , second round was all Silva . Fedor hasn’t lost this fight , because there was a third round needed . Even journalists after the fight at press conference asked me if I was against the stoppage because we know Fedor and he has been in situations like that before ending coming out on top . I told them that I fully agree with doctor’s decision because fighter’s health is more important for us .

I think he will continue fighting , he will learn from the mistakes in this fight , knowing there are some things he has to improve . I think he stayed in Oskol for too long , we have to travel around the world , change his style a little bit and technique . Trust me he will be back and everything will be fine .

Denis Lebedev : How can one leave like that ? Leaving your family , your friends , other people you know . People can do this but not somebody like Fedya .

Nikolay Valuev : I am almost sure he gets his strength from the motherland .

Alexander Povetkin : I agree with his decision training at home , more power and more … everything else .

Vladimir Voronov : All of this lasts …greatest sportsman , best trainer , all those titles … I do what I do , everything else comes and goes .

Nikolay Valuev : Definitely Fedor wont be ever lost in the history books of combat sports , this great figure , well known name in certain period of time of the sport . I don’t know what will people say about him later but maybe they will say ” Man of the Era .