CONFIDENT CHALLENGER ALEXEICHIK COMING FOR TITLE AT LION FIGHT 40
Slava Alexeichik has a very simple, yet undoubtedly powerful mantra when it comes to his preparation for a fight.
It is the exact sentiment he will bring to his shot at the Lion Fight world cruiserweight title as he takes on reigning champion Chip Moraza-Pollard at Lion Fight 40.
“Respect all. Fear none. I am coming to fight and win regardless of who is in front of me,” offered the fighter known as “Scarface.”
The Russia-born New Zealand resident will stand across from the undefeated champion Moraza-Pollard (6-0) on Saturday, February 3rd at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Alexeichik (30-8) welcomes the daunting task of taking on the champ in what is virtually his own backyard and certainly hostile territory for a challenger. In fact, Alexeichik has been eyeing this moment for long time and feels more than ready for his shot at the belt.
“This fight is the biggest opportunity that I have had and I am definitely looking forward to it,” he said. “I want to put on a good show. This is what I have worked for over the last decade.
“I’m not worried about Chip or his creditability. I am confident in my training and I’m coming to win regardless of who the opponent is.”
From his home in Auckland, Alexeichik took some time out of his hectic schedule for a Q&A with LionFight.com.
Q: Can you tell us about moving from Siberia, Russia to New Zealand?
A: I was born in Siberia and came from Russia in 1995 with my parents in search of a better life. We settled in Rotorua, a small town on north island where I did my early schooling then we moved to Auckland in my early teens. Rotorua has very deep roots and is famous for its Maori culture and history. It was an interesting change coming from Russia to Rotorua as a six-year-old boy not knowing a word of English. It definitely was a culture shock for the younger me.
Q: What was your youth like and when did you get into fighting?
A: I played all sorts of sport when in school then I dropped out of school when I was 16 and started working as a Gib installer – sheet rock, I believe you call it. I got into a bit of trouble as a late teen as my parents split up and then luckily found kickboxing around 18. I jumped straight into it and started fighting and never looked back. It helped me get back on track and I trained and fought while I went back to university and studied for my degree. I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in commercial law and marketing from the University of Auckland. I was also working part-time as Gib fixer for money and extra training. Now I run one of Auckland’s biggest commercial interior building companies as well as train full-time for fighting. I am the managing director of Gypset Ltd. I have always loved Muay Thai and favored knees and elbows. The K1 style is cool, but I love the flow on Muay Thai much better. I definitely think Muay Thai strikes are my most favorable.
Q: I believe you have an interesting comment about Muay Thai, about how much it means to you. Is that correct?
A: I played a lot of various sport in high school but when left school I began to drift into an unhealthy lifestyle. A friend suggested I try out his gym which I did. I fell in love with the sport and never looked back. It helped me out a great deal in a time of need and has been the foundation of a lot of great things for me since I have started. Fighting, somewhat, saved my life.
Q: Do you have any heroes in sport or life in general?
A: My dad for his outlook on life, his ability to see good in even the worst situations, and for all that he has taught me. My dad was a builder and taught me how to build. I used to work with him on the weekends.
Q: For those that haven’t seen you fight yet, what have been some of your most meaningful accomplishments in the sport?
A: Winning the 2017 cruiserweight King in the Ring in New Zealand by beating three top New Zealand fighters in one night is definitely a big highlight in my career. I also have a few other titles including HKMT Commonwealth and South Pacific light heavyweight championships and being the two-time WKBF New Zealand middleweight and light heavyweight champion.
Alexeichik vies for the title against Moraza-Pollard in the main event of Lion Fight 40 with a co-main event featuring a showdown for the Lion Fight world lightweight title as Thai legend Lerdsila battles Alexi Serepisos.
Lion Fight 40 also features the first-ever North American title bout in the organization’s history with Brett Hlavacek taking on Elijah Clarke for the light heavyweight belt. The lineup also features numerous fan favorites including powerful super cruiserweight Steve “Put Em To Sleep” Walker, lightweight thriller “The Don” Julio Pena, and top prospects Mike Triana, Cris Mims, and Brian Bogue.
Tickets for Lion Fight 40 are available at www.foxwoods.com/Lion-Fight.
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