12 Rounds With … Sergey Lipinets

Sergey Lipinets (14-1, 10 KOs) bounced back from his first career loss with a successful welterweight debut last Saturday night, taking a majority decision over Erick Bone on a primetime FOX-televised card at NYCB LIVE in Uniondale, N.Y.

After the Lipinets believes he’s ready to wade into the deep end of the welterweight pool.

The Kazakhstan native—who lost his 140-pound title to Mikey Garcia in March—decided to move into the 147-pound division after failing to secure championship-caliber opposition at 140 pounds. But he is amenable to future bouts at 140 pounds.

What were some things you learned about yourself during the loss to Garcia?

It was a great experience. All of the stuff I was doing to imitate Floyd Mayweather, fighting with my hands down, I’ll not being doing that again. Mikey Garcia’s not only talented, but he hits hard, and people underestimate his power.

Mikey probably has as much punching power as any fighter at 147-pounds. Moving up in weight, I believe, will make him an even more dangerous puncher. I only had 13 fights when I fought Mikey, and I gained experience that money can’t buy. That was a learning experience.

Would you like a second shot at him? What would be different?

Watching Mikey fight, you don’t realize how good he is ... I was taken by surprise how powerful Mikey was and how good and fast his jab was.

By the time I figured Mikey out, the fight was over, so, of course I would want that rematch. My defense would be tighter, and I would approach him totally different.

Why the move into 147?

All of the top guys at 140 are in [the WBSS] tournament, and they didn’t want to include me in that event, which could keep them occupied for six to eight months. Regis Prograis and I would be a great fight, and I believe he’s going to win the tournament.

Of course [WBC champion] Jose Ramirez would be a great fight, but he’s got a defense [in September] against Antonio Orozco. I was trying to make a fight with [WBO champion] Maurice Hooker, but that didn’t happen.

[WBO champion] Kiryl Relikh is another tough fighter, but it looks like he’s gonna fight Eduard Tryanovsky in that tournament. Four or five fighters were offered before we chose Bone, but they didn’t want to take the fight. If a challenge makes sense down at 140, I would absolutely drop back down.

“ I’m still a work in progress, and I’m working on things as I adjust to the new weight class. Every fight from here on, I’m going to come in better and better. ” Former super lightweight champion Sergey Lipinets

How did you feel as a 147-pounder in terms of your power?

The power is there, but Erick Bone was a difficult guy to fight, so we got some rounds in. I was a little sluggish because, being the first time at 147, I ate too much after the weigh-in. 

I felt heavy and a little off in my footwork, which will change in my next fight. Erick Bone is not an easy guy to hit, but when I did land, he felt my punches. The only guy who stopped Bone is Shawn Porter.

Is there any other fighter in the division you’ve dreamed of facing?

Adrien Broner, of course, is on my hit list. I would fight Broner at a weight as high as 154. It doesn’t matter. I believe styles make fights, and Broner and I would put on a great show. I definitely believe that I will win, and, of course I would try to knock his ass out.

Would you accept a shot at Keith Thurman, who has not yet named an opponent for his return from injury?

Right now, I think it’s too early in the game to fight Keith Thurman. I’d like maybe two or three fights at 147 against guys at the level of an Erick Bone or with different styles.

Andre Berto looked good beating Devon Alexander, and I would take a fight against Berto tomorrow. He’s a straight, come-forward guy who likes to bang, and I can do the same thing.

How far are you away from a title shot?

Like said before, I would like to take two or three more fights against guys on the level of Bone who are not easy to fight. I want sturdy guys or former champs or contenders who will help me to build up experience at 147.

It took me five rounds to actually warm up in the fight with Bone, but that will improve with more experience. I would love to have Mikey again. But I’m still a work in progress, and I’m working on things as I adjust to the new weight class. Every fight from here on, I’m going to come in better and better.

Do you have a message for the division?

I’ll be ready for another big challenge, soon, but I hope that other contenders believe they saw flaws in my performance, and they come and take a fight against me.

For a closer look at Sergey Lipinets, check out his fighter page.