Senad Gashi, 31-4 (3), from Germany became the first ever World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Bridgerweight champion when he stopped Reynaldo Gonzalez, 22-11 (14), from Venezuela on September 14 in Bielefeld.
The 34-year-old Kosovo-born puncher, who is also a former WBF Interim World Heavyweight champion, was kind enough to answer a few questions for a small interview.
Q: You are the first WBF World Champion in the new Bridgerweight division. How do you feel about being a “History-Maker” for the WBF?
A: It feels very nice. I want more, and it gives me motivation as I am really happy and proud to be the first ever. I think its a great story, which my children will even tell to their grandchildren.
Q: What made you decide to focus on Bridgerweight instead of Heavyweight?
A: Humans have changed physically over the years, so it was necessary to create a new weight-class. People are getting bigger and bigger, and back in the day a big Heavyweight was maybe 103 Kg. But now the really good Heavyweights are like 115 kg. And lean.
It was a must to create a new weight-class, but I enjoy fighting in both weight-classes. I think Bridgerweight has the potential to be the most exciting division in boxing, it combines power and boxing.
Q: How do you feel the difference between Heavyweight and Bridgerweight?
A: Bridgerweight is much more boxing, much more technical, more thinking. I like that kind of pressure.
Q: What are your next plans for your career?
A: I would like to fight for the WBF World title at Cruiserweight, and be the first three-weight WBF World Champion. Wouldn’t that be great?
Q: If you could rematch any of the four opponents you have lost to, who would you like a second chance against?
A: I would love to fight Carlos Takam again. I took the fight on two days notice, and he had 10 weeks to prepare. Still I gave him a hell of a fight, and got the eyes of the world.
