Team Sauerlands pressemedarbejder Johannes Berendt har taget en snak med Mikkel Kesslers kommende modstander, Danilo Haussler. Her er, hvad VM-udfordreren havde at sige:
Q: Danilo, you have arrived and already worked out in Oldenburg. How is
everything?
DH: “Thanks, everything is fine. I am in great shape and will work with
my coach Manfred Wolke to keep up the good form until Saturday. I can´t
wait to step into the ring.”
Q: But your opponent, the “Viking Warrior” Mikkel Kessler, seems to be
very confident…
DH: “Yes – he is the world champion, he is the favourite. But he is not
unbeatable.”
Q: It would be fair to say that Danish fighters have played a special
role in your career…
DH: “That´s true. I suffered the first defeat of my career in the
European title fight against Mads Larsen in 2003. One year later his
countryman Rudy Markussen also beat me. That was a tough fight during
which I lacked concentration for a very brief moment near the end. Now
I´ve got the third Dane coming up. What is it that they say? The best
things come in threes.”
Q: Are you bothered by the fact that many people consider you the
underdog? A big German tabloid even titled: Mr Haussler, are you tired
of life?
DH: “I don´t care at all. Of course Mikkel Kessler – just like Joe
Calzaghe – has dominated the super-middleweight division in the last
couple of years. But if there is one thing that could be learned from
the Calzaghe fight then it is that Kessler is vulnerable, too. I have
been a professional boxer for over 11 years, I have a lot of experience.
I have never been stopped before – and this won´t be any different
against Kessler.”
Q: Your former stablemate Markus Beyer certainly had similar plans but
was knocked out by Kessler in the third round. Are you still in touch
with him?
DH: “Yes, we speak over the phone from time to time. But he did not give
me any suggestions for the Kessler fight. I saw their duel live in
Copenhagen in the stadium. I am well aware of Mikkel´s strengths and
know how I can and how I cannot box against him. Together with my coach,
I have developed a special strategy. Of course, I cannot go in details now.”
Q: You have been a professional for a long time. In 2001, you were the
European champion. Why is it that you had to turn 33 to get a world
title shot?
DH: “Over the years I have worked hard for a world title fight. That is
the challenge I have been waiting for all my life. I came close a couple
of times. Four, five years ago I did not get the chance because
Sauerland Event had two champions in Markus Beyer and Sven Ottke. After
that, world title fights were discussed but nobody of the defending
champions fought me. But that is all in the past now.”
Q: Have you ever thought about retirement?
DH: “That is something a fighter of my age should do. A couple of weeks
ago I started an apprenticeship at a big German insurance company. My
future is safe – with or without boxing. That gives me a lot of power
and calmness. My wife and my son Matti are also doing well – my family
is very important to me. Everything´s great in my life at the time being
– no need to worry. The chance to fight for the world title comes
exactly at the right time.”
Q: Danilo, thank you very much for your time and best of luck for Saturday.