The Immortal Champions team spoke with Huseyn Mustafazade after his victory Sunday at Immortal Champions: Triumph 44 at Porchester Hall.
The Azerbaijani fighter won a close decision over Joey Klijenburg to win the Immortal Champions European Lightweight Title.
Mustafazade overcame adversity to prevail. Despite breaking his right arm in the first round, he continued pressuring Klijenburg and pummeling the Dutchman’s midsection with heavy punches.
Cheered on by a boisterous contingent of Azerbaijani supporters, Mustafazade gritted his teeth and kept coming forward, securing the win and sending his fans home happy.
Read on to see Huseyn’s thoughts on the win, made extra special by the commemoration of Azerbaijan’s recent military victory.
IC: Congratulations on the win. What are your thoughts on the fight?
Huseyn Mustafazade: It was a very good fight. Opponent was good. I’m thankful to my opponent, he showed a very good, interesting fight. I was very good in training camp. I tried to give my best.
IC: You know, the first round. It was K-1 rules. You threw him down a couple of times. Did you forget the rules? Was is just the emotion of the fight?
Huseyn: No, I know the rules. It was just a reflex.
IC: Were you worried about getting disqualified by the referee?
Huseyn: The second time was also a reflex, but we as a corner, tried to save. It’s just a reflex.
IC: In round two, you landed some very strong punches to the body. Were you surprised he was able to last the whole fight? Your body attack was very strong.
Huseyn: I was always train boxing extra. While in the fight, I try to land the special blows to body and head. Always change between legs and hands to show different.
IC: Today was a special day. Immortal Champions: Triumph 44. The celebration of the great victory of Azerbaijan over Armenia. Did you get extra strength from the Azerbaijan community? They were cheering for you. Did that give you extra strengh in the ring today?
Huseyn: I’m grateful to the public who supported me from our community. It was a deep power I had. It was special for our victory day after a very long war, which means too much for me. And I did my best.
IC: Now that you’re the Immortal Champions European titleholder. Would you like to come back to London to defend the title?
Huseyn: I will be happy to come back to London, and also fight better than this time. I’m always ready to fight again for a title.
IC: That’s about all I have to ask you. Is there anything else you’d like to say? Anyone you’d like to thank?
Huseyn: I want to thank the organiser, Hafiz Bakhshaliyev. I’m happy I could get a visa and come to this amazing night!
