Ivan Montiel: Boxingtalk is here with light heavyweight Fanlong Meng of China. Fanlong is a 2012 Olympian who is 15-0 as a pro. He's the IBF mandatory and is scheduled to challenge IBF/ WBC champion Artur Beterbiev on March 28th in Quebec City.  We interviewed him through a translator. Fanlong, Beterbiev is your toughest fight of your career so far, so what are your thoughts about this huge opportunity for you to become world champion?

 

Fanlong Meng: First of all, I am very happy to have come to an agreement for this fight to take place, to challenge a world champion and to become a world champion-- that is the dream of every boxer in this world.  When an opportunity knocks on my door, I will open the door and respond.

 

IM: Now correct me if I am wrong but didn’t you want to fight Beterbiev prior to his fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk?

 

FM: Yes, that is correct. According to the IBF regulations, Beterbiev's unification bout vs. Gvodzyk took priority over my mandatory challenge, therefore I had to wait my turn. 

 

IM: Speaking of Beterbiev versus Gvozdyk, what were your thoughts watching that fight [Beterbiev won by tenth-round technical knockout in October]?

 

FM: First of all, both Beterbiev and Gvozdyk are among the best in the light heavyweight division.  When its the best versus the best boxing, fans will get excited.  I also witnessed a lot of things which I won’t go into further details about in order not to keep my game plan a secret.  But what I saw in that particular fight has helped me train for this training camp.

 

IM: I understand you don’t want to give away your game plan which is fair for you to say. But I want your reaction to this-- you have both the height and reach advantage over Beterbiev but of course he has that devastating knockout power.  What are your thoughts on his KO power?

 

FM: I am not worried about Beterbiev’s power. In my training camp, we are working on a strategic game plan every single day.  I am not focused on his power, I am focused on making sure that I am 100% prepared.

 

IM: How about having to fight in Quebec, where Beterbiev will be the local-based boxer. Do you think that you will need a KO win in order to get a win or are you comfortable going the distance and leaving things in the hands of the judges?

 

FM: I know it’s his hometown but I will not let this big opportunity slide away.  I certainly hope that the referee is fair.  

 

IM: Now for those who ask who is Meng Fanlong, tell the world of boxing who you are.

 

FM: I am a skillful fighter. Some criticize my style of fighting yet that doesn’t worry me.  My focus at the moment is perfecting my craft and focusing on my training camp.

 

IM: Speaking of your training camp, tell us more about how’s it going so far?

 

FM: It’s my best training camp so far, we are fully preparing for Beterbiev.  Thanks to my team, everything up to now is going great.

 

IM: Do you have a prediction?

 

MF: No, actually I am just focused on the process on my training camp, in this fight I will show everyone a different version of Fanlong Meng.

 

IM: Is there any message which you want to tell Artur Beterbiev?

 

MF: You are the best fighter in this light heavyweight division.  I respect you, but I know that in order to become the best I must fight the best.  Let’s both get ready!

 

IM: Well it was a pleasure having you on Boxingtalk.com... we can’t wait till March 28th!

 

MF: Thank you Ivan I appreciate it.