PZ: How did you get into boxing?
PK: When I was 9 years old, in my home town there was the Lithuanian Boxing Championship and my dad took me to watch it. After the match he asked me if I liked it and I said to him that I love it! So, the next day he took me to the boxing gym. And this is how I started to get a passion for boxing.
PZ: Did anybody else in your family box?
PK: My father used to box when he was young.
PZ: Tell us about your amateur career?
PK: This is a long story but I will try to make it short! When I was about 10 or11 years old I had my first fight in the 44 kg category. I lost that fight, but this was just beginning. In my amateur career I had a lot fights – about 180. I won about 130 and worked my way through a number of weight divisions as my body started to develop, until I reached the heavyweight leagues. I spent about 13 years as an amateur, which also included being part of the Lithuanian National Team. In 2011 my amateur career finished.
PZ: Why did you leave Lithuania and come to train and live in the UK?
PK: I came to UK because of my sisters. They had already lived here couple years and all suggested I came and trained in the UK. Initially I was against the idea, simply because I was young, but after a while I thought I should give it a go, otherwise I could end up regretting it later in life. Things have worked out well so far. That’s basically how I ended up in the UK!
PZ: Who trains you, and how do you find the TKO gym?
PK: When I came to UK I spent lot of time on the internet looking for a good boxing gym. After a couple weeks I went and visited the TKO gym to inquire about professional boxing. I started training with my very good mate Barry Smith. However, after a couple months I moved down to the seaside, and started to train with my best friend and really good trainer John Murray.
PZ: You have won both your two fights as a professional in destructive fashion. When will we see you fight next?
PK: My next fight should be in October.
PZ: Hughie Fury seems to be doing very well as a professional, having fought eight times this year and winning each bout convincingly. Would you like the opportunity to box with him?
PK: At this time we have different plans for our respective boxing careers. However – in the future why not!!
PZ: What aspects of your game are your trainers working on to improve you?
PK: We are working very hard methods and new techniques, but what exactly we are doing is secret between me and my trainer! However, I can honestly say that the new stuff is definitely working.
PZ: Who do you think will win between Tyson Fury and David Haye?
PK: In my opinion that it will be a very interesting fight. One of them is very strong and the other is very fast. I’m sure you can work out who is who! I’m a fighter who uses speed to their advantage so will go with the fighter with the greater speed. Hopefully that answers your questions!
PZ: Any plans for a boxing nickname?
PK: I already one! When I was three years old, my father’s friends start calling me BULWE so now all my country knows me like BULWE
PZ: Tell the readers one thing about yourself that not many people know.
PK: I’m an adrenaline junkie! Anything crazy and I’m there!
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend, who would it be?
PK: I would love to spar with Lennox Lewis and Mohamed Ali.
PZ: Thank you for your time Paulius
PK: It’s always a pleasure J Any time! Thank you Mr. Paul Zanon. J