By Scoop Malinowski

“I am the best.”

While most attention is focused on the aging crop of heavyweights, there has been a new wave of fierce young heavyweights developing. One is Uzbekistan’s Timur Ibragimov. Like previously little-known new WBO Heavyweight champ Sergei Liakhovich, Timur may well be a star waiting for that opportunity to shine.

Former Olympian Timur (21-0-1, 13 KO’s) will get his big chance this Saturday June 24 in Las Vegas, Nevada against highly-regarded unbeaten American prospect Calvin Brock (28-0, 22 KO’s). The bout will be televised in the U.S. on HBO.

Read on to learn what the ultra-confident Ibragimov has to say about who is the best heavyweight right now, which famous contender he KO’ed in sparring, some inside info on his wrecking machine cousin Sultan and much more in this revealing interview…

Boxinginsider: Calvin Brock next, he is going to be a very difficult fight for you. Why do you believe you are going to prevail?

Timur Ibragimov: “Yes it is. In my career I have the easy fights and difficult. But for each fight I will prepare the same. Because everybody - I tell you - everybody can punch. And you have to be ready for any opponent.”

Boxinginsider: Who is the best heavyweight today?

Timur Ibragimov: “Timur Ibragimov.”

Boxinginsider: Why?

Timur Ibragimov: “Because it’s me and I know me. Right now everybody thinks that it’s wide open, the heavyweight division. I think it’s more hard for us to go on top because everybody want to go on top. But from now it’s me and Sultan Ibragimov are the two best heavyweight fighters.”

Boxinginsider: Sultan - I’ve seen him more than you. He’s an awesome fighter - lefty, fast hands, KO power, intensity, fearlessness - he supposedly knocked out Shannon Briggs in sparring right?

Timur Ibragimov: “It was me.”

Boxinginsider: You knocked out Shannon Briggs?

Timur Ibragimov: “Yes sir.”

Boxinginsider: With the headgear on?

Timur Ibragimov: “Yes, of course. And big gloves, 18 ounce.”

Boxinginsider: When did this happen?

Timur Ibragimov: “When he come to our gym to spar (2005). No, no, because he told us I want to spar with you. We were waiting. The first day he didn’t come. The second day he didn’t come. Then I don’t know he’s gonna come. I came for regular training. But I don’t know that he…and he come. And my trainer Panama Lewis ask me, Do you have everything, headgear, gloves. I say, Yeah in my car. Then I bring in my stuff, we spar and this happens.”

Boxinginsider: What round?

Timur Ibragimov: “Round number four.”

Boxinginsider: What punch?

Timur Ibragimov: “Right hand.”

Boxinginsider: Was it difficult sparring? Shannon Briggs is a very, very good heavyweight…

Timur Ibragimov: “Oh yeah, he have good skills. And he have power. And he very fast. But like I tell you before, I am the best one.”

Boxinginsider: What was his reaction after, what did he say?

Timur Ibragimov: “He could only say two words - Good shot. Good shot.”

Boxinginsider: Were you surprised to knock him down?

Timur Ibragimov: “No, no. It’s just training for me. I fought in Olympic Games, world championships. It’s like regular fight for me.”

Boxinginsider: Your cousin Sultan seems like a devastating puncher. He seems to punch even harder than you…

Timur Ibragimov: “Yes. Yes he punching hard.”

Boxinginsider: Sultan had the big win over Lance Whitaker. Boxing fans know your names but they really have no idea how good Sultan is. What can you say about how good he is?

Timur Ibragimov: “Oh, Sultan is very good. He is strong. Very fast. Moves a lot. And he never gives chance for opponent to beat him. Never. Every time he first.”

Boxinginsider: How long until you two are ready to fight for the championship?

Timur Ibragimov: “We’re ready right now. Yes, we’re ready right now.”

Boxinginsider: Who do you want to fight most of all?

Timur Ibragimov: “I don’t care. This game is a very dangerous game and I telling you again that everybody want to be there. And I don’t care who will be my next opponent and I gonna be ready for anybody. And I am ready for anybody.”

Boxinginsider: What are your words to boxing fans around the world?

Timur Ibragimov: Thank you very much all fan with us of me and my cousin Sultan Ibragimov. And I am sure that everybody will be happy that they our fans, because very soon we will be on the top.”