We caught up with KOK World Middleweight Champion Daniel Forsberg to get his thoughts on his upcoming bout with Jurijs Orlovs.
Forsberg defends his title against Orlovs this Sunday November 24 at KOK 81 in Riga, Latvia. The event is being streamed exclusively on KOK Fights TV.
It’s the first title defense for Finland’s Forsberg, who won the title against Raimonds Aukstikalnis at the KOK World Series event in Helsinki last May.
Forsberg and Orlovs met once before. The Finn won an extra-round decision over the young Latvian, who has since defeated Tomas Steponkevicius and Holland’s Mike Sprangh in impressive fashion.
Read on for Daniel’s thoughts on the first fight with Orlov, facing him again, and more!
Q: Thank you for taking the time for an interview, champ. How is training camp going for the fight this Sunday?
Daniel Forsberg: Hello! My training has been normal. Hard pad and sparring training so I am ready to rumble :).
Q: You defeated Jurijs last year in Estonia. Since then, he’s beaten Tomas Steponkevicus and Mike Sprangh in KOK to earn a title shot. Do you see improvements in his style from the first fight?
Daniel Forsberg: Last fight with Jurijs was good fight overall, but I think I won this fight after 3 x 3 min. But judges put extra round, (that) was strange.
Jurijs earned the title shot, and he is a young warrior with good skills, so it’s going to be a hard fight in Riga!
Q: Not only are you a world champion, but I understand you also work as an ambulance medic. When you’re preparing for a fight, what’s a typical day like for you?
Daniel Forsberg: My life is mostly working (ambulance) and training, that’s it. But in free time, I spend with my kids.
Q: Not to look past next Sunday, but KOK is returning to your country in February 2020. If you are victorious, is there a chance you’ll be fighting at home in Helsinki in February?
Daniel Forsberg: I am going to fight KOK Helsinki regardless what happens in this title fight in Riga.
Q: That’s all the questions I have today. Thanks for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to say or anyone you’d like to thank?
Daniel Forsberg: I just want to say thank you to all my fans. Thanks to all that support me, and remember (to) watch fight in www.kokfights.tv.
Photo Credit: KOK Fights/International Bushido Federation