Status: 2002 Olympic silver medalist will fight Ray Austin on Friday July 29 on espn2 in an important IBF Elimination bout. Winner becomes the mandatory to face champ Wladimir Klitschko.

Ht: 6-1 Wt: 225

DOB: March 8, 1975 In: Kaspiisk, Russia

Childhood Heroes: “Muhammad Ali.”

Hobbies/Interests: “In a previous time in Russia I was interested in football, but now, basketball. But I like to watch it, not play.”

Nicknames: “I like when people call me Sultan. I don’t like ring nickname.”

Favorite Movies: “I like a lot of movies - Troy, Men on Fire.”

Favorite TV Shows: “Showtime, HBO.”

Musical Tastes: “Different music, I like Russian, I like rap, 50 Cent.”

Early Boxing Memory: “From my childhood, I always used to be the most strong guy. And this is why I start to fight (age 14). I started in wrestling. My brother was boxing at the time, he took me boxing. I liked it because it was a really nice boxing school. I liked boxing more than wrestling. My first fight was in 1994. I remember I win in the second round. (What punch?) Left hook.”

First Job: “All my life I work in boxing [smiles].”

First Car: “1988 Russian car - Lada. (Color?) Cherry color.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “I think about - joking before. Five minutes before I think how I do first round. How I will fight. Then I go fight.”

Favorite Meal: “I like Asian. I like Mexican food. I like my national food.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “I like different ice creams.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Olympic Games (2000), silver medal. That fight was really important fight. I think I win this fight. (Felix) Savon was a two-time Olympic Games champion. (Was Savon the best fighter you have ever boxed?) Savon was very strong. He’s got a very good jab. I think he would have been a very good professional boxer. But he’s older now.”

Most Painful Moment: “I don’t know. Maybe when I lost Olympic Games to Savon.”

Worst Injury: “I don’t know.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: “I like watching all fights. Muhammad Ali. I like Hagler. Roy Jones. I like Tyson fights. I like Sugar Ray Leonard. A lot of American fighters.”

Embarrassing Boxing Memory: “No.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “New York fight with Lance Whitaker, when I fight him at the press conference. That was funny.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “I like in Russia. When I go home it’s nice.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I like good people. Respectful. Humble.”