Chris Byrd has arrived in Germany, where a duel awaits him on April 22. In 2000, Byrd already met the Klitschko brothers in fights for the WBO title in this weight class — first he took this title from the older brother Vitali, and six months later he suffered the second defeat of his career in a fight with Volodymyr. \n \nVolodymyr and Chris's pre-fight press conference will take place at the "Europaeischer Hof" hotel at one o'clock in the afternoon on April 18. \nVolodymyr and Chris's press training will be held in Mannheim on Wednesday at two o'clock in the afternoon in the lobby of the "Engelhorn Sports" sporting goods store. \nAnd the last stop for Volodymyr and Chris on the way to their duel should take place on Friday, April 21, at 13:30, when at the "SAP-Arena" they will first hold the medical examination ceremony and then the weigh-in ceremony. \n \nVolodymyr's preparation for his duel against Chris Byrd can now be spoken of in the past tense. We connected with Volodymyr via video link on Saturday afternoon, when after his morning training session, which was the last in his preparatory process, he was beginning his packing in order to make the flight from Mallorca to Germany, where he will hold the press conference, press training and weigh-in ceremony with his opponent, and then.... Then only the unknown. \nWe contacted Volodymyr to get answers to the questions that, like us, interest the numerous army of his fans. \n \nWe greet you, Volodymyr. There is less and less time left until the "X" hour. Preparation is already behind you. In your opinion, did you manage to do everything to properly prepare for the upcoming duel?\nWe strictly followed my preparation plan. If any additions or changes did appear, they did not interfere with my preparation. If we talk about how exactly I assess my preparation… I feel full of strength and confident in my victory. \n \nVolodymyr, in your opinion, did you and your trainer Emanuel Steward manage to figure out the options for how Chris Byrd will conduct the duel?\nOne cannot state with full confidence that we managed to figure out or predict the plan, or plans, of Chris for the fight with me. We are ready for anything that my opponent may offer during the fight itself. \n \nEmanuel Steward said that Chris may conduct the duel aggressively, confirming his promises to end the fight with you by knockout, but that most likely he will conduct the duel practically without changes, as he boxed in his past fights before this. In your opinion, what is Chris going to offer you in the ring?\nI realistically assess my opponent. I don't want to underestimate him, but I don't want to overestimate him either. Chris is a high-class fighter who is quite motivated to win. However, I will do everything in my power to become world champion again. \n \nBut still... Volodymyr, will you be ready to end the fight by knockout?\nFor any fighter, the most desirable victory in a duel is a victory by knockout. It is precisely such a victory that leaves no chance for his opponent to have the opportunity to dispute his loss. I will conduct the duel as tough as possible and am ready either to go the full distance or to win by knockout. The main thing for me is victory. I am going to enter the ring and win. \n \nVolodymyr, your words to boxing fans...\nI want to thank everyone for your support, regardless of whether you will be present at the arena or watch the duel by the screens of your televisions. \nVictory in this bout will be a real celebration for all of us, one that we have been waiting for so long. \n \n"This is a chance to avenge the defeat," Byrd stated. "After victory I will be able to say that I defeated both Klitschkos. Who else can boast of this." \n \nBesides the problems of performing before German fans, who will all support his opponent, Byrd fears that the referee of the duel will allow Klitschko to frequently use the clinch instead of boxing. \n\n"The referee must do his job. Volodymyr's style is based on the jab and the clinch. Don't hold me back," Byrd said, as if addressing his opponent. "Let's box. Look at me, if anyone thinks I need to be held back, then he has big problems." Byrd said that after intense training he weighs not much more than 200 pounds (the heavyweight limit), and in the last two years he has entered the ring with a weight of 210-215 pounds (95.2-97.5 kg), which is much less than Klitschko, who performs with a weight of 240-245 pounds (108.7-111.1 kg).\n\n"He keeps leaning back," Byrd said about his opponent. "He changed his style, but, frankly speaking, such big guys don't know how to move. I'm not afraid." The champion believes that many underestimate his agility and punching power, and in the duel with Klitschko he will show all his best qualities, as well as test his opponent's courage. \n \n"They say that I am a so-called 'boxer without a punch,' but I am still champion. I want to prove that they are wrong. I have a secret weapon in reserve, and I can punch," Byrd added.\n\nAfter victory over Klitschko, Byrd would like to meet the WBA champion in this weight class, Nikolai Valuev. "I want to become a 'giant killer.' I want to meet all the big guys," Byrd said. "I like the idea of a unification tournament in the heavyweight division, but it is too difficult to organize. They say that now is not the best period in boxing, but I like it. As for me, my dream has always been to become the best in my weight class. Being champion is wonderful."