Q: How did you get into the boxing gym? How elderly were you when you had your first approved fight?
Answer: I grew up in Brighton Beach and boxing was always around. When I was a little kid, my dad took me to the gym because I had too much energy and needed some discipline. Once I put the gloves on, I didn’t want to take them off. I had my first approved fight when I was about 10 years elderly and from that moment on I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.

Q: You have fought over 130 amateur fights and won the Up-to-date York Golden Gloves in the open 152-pound weight class. Instead of competing in the Olympics, you turned professional at the age of 17. Did you feel you were better suited to professional boxing?
Answer: Yes, definitely. The amateurs were great for gaining experience, but my style was always more suited to the professional ranks. I like to sit on punches, get to the body and take guys down. In the amateurs you can overtake others and move around, but I always wanted to hurt the guys and put on a show. Turning professional at 19 seemed like the right move.

Q: As a little kid, you sparred with the likes of fellow Brooklynite and former middleweight champion Danny Jacobs. Are there any other celebrated names you have shared the ring with in sparring or amateur fights?
A: Sparring with Danny Jacobs was a massive deal for me at first. He’s a world champion and a great guy who gave me a grave job. I also shared rounds with many of the top competitors in Up-to-date York gyms, professionals and amateurs. When you’re on the Brooklyn gym scene, you’re always around killers, so every sparring session feels like a real fight.

Q: Brooklyn amateurs you’ve fought – like WBC featherweight champion Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins – are making headlines these days. How frustrating was it to sit on the sidelines and watch your neighbors win championship belts?
A: Look, of course you want to be the center of attention too. These are my boys and I am proud of them, but at the same time I know that I belong to them. Boxing is a crazy business and sometimes things outside the ring snail-paced you down. But trust me, the hunger becomes stronger when everyone else is shining. My time is coming.

Q: For those who haven’t seen you fight, who would you compare your style to, or who would you compare your style to, among boxers past or present?
Answer: I think I bring a bit of an elderly school flavor. I love body punching like the best did it. Some people say I remind them of Roy Jones Jr. in the way I attack the body, but I take that as a high compliment. But honestly, I’m just trying to create my own style – that “white chocolate” style.

Q: You seem to really love boxing, even though you’ve been boxing with your own shadow for over twenty years. Would “No Boxing, No Life” be an exact description of how you feel about the sport?
Answer: This is exactly how I feel. Boxing gave me everything – discipline, purpose and a way to express myself. When I’m not training, I’m thinking about training. When I’m not fighting, I’m thinking about fighting. For me it’s not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle.

Q: Have you ever had a full-time job or was boxing your only job?
Answer: Boxing has always been my main goal. Since I was a kid, it was gym, school, gym again. When you start fighting juvenile and chasing massive dreams, you build your entire life around it. I always treated it like a full-time job.

Q: What do you do with your time outside the ring?
A: I like things to be plain. Spend time with your family, hang out with friends, maybe watch fights and learn the game. I also care about regeneration – stretching, sauna and the like. And of course I enjoy being by the ocean when I’m in Florida.

Q: What’s frequently played on your music playlist now when you’re working out at the gym?
A: It’s a mix. I would say it’s mostly hip-hop and house music.

Q: You’re leaving snowy Brooklyn for the bright reaches of South Florida to train at BOXR Gym, where airy heavyweight champion David Benavidez will be training for his fight with Zurdo Ramirez. How do you like life in 305?
A: I love it. The weather is amazing, the atmosphere is different and there are a lot of grave competitors there. Being around fighters like David Benavidez and other hungry champions at BOXR Gym takes you to the next level. It’s all about leveling up.

Q: A video recently surfaced of you giving up a tough decision to a very good Russian fighter, Yuri Osipov. At first I thought it was a professional fight because there was no headgear, but it was actually a five-round fight. What happened that night and what did you learn from that fight?
Answer: This fight remains one of the most tough experiences of my career. I didn’t have to take it because it was only an exhibition match, but I agreed to it under tough circumstances. I arrived in Russia four days before the fight on low notice and became seriously ill. Even my trainer Andre Rozier, who was traveling with me, fainted in front of everyone during the weigh-in due to the same stressful conditions.

Due to my illness and weight loss for the fight, I was unable to properly hydrate, take medications, or maintain proper nutrition. Even though my team advised me to withdraw, I decided to take part in the competition because of the financial incentive. Looking back, this decision was unwise.

Although the match does not count towards my professional record, it was a valuable training for me. If I go to an exhibition again, I will make sure I am properly prepared and put my health first.

Q: You recently started training at BOXR Gym with legendary Up-to-date York trainer Milton LaCroix. Any modern elements to your game that you worked on with Milton?
Answer: Milton is a genius. We worked on perfecting everything – defense, angles and even better positioning of my body shots. The power has always been there, but now it’s about being smarter and more complete in the ring.

Q: Nowadays it seems that many competitors are content to take a nap to ensure a protected victory and a payday, forgetting that this is an entertainment business. When you’re struggling, it feels like being an artist is part of the “white chocolate” experience. How crucial is it to you to put on a show in front of your fans and not get an basic W?
A: It’s huge. Fans spend their hard-earned money to watch us fight. They deserve emotions. I want people to jump out of their chairs every time I step into the ring. Knockouts and body shots – that’s what boxing is all about. When you watch White Chocolate, you know you’re going to get a show.

Q: You have a lot of fans among the Russian fans in Brighton Beach. What does it mean to you to represent your hometown when you step into the ring?
Answer: It means everything. I was raised by Brighton Beach. This community has supported me from the beginning. When I fight, I feel like I’m carrying all of Brooklyn and all the fans with me. This pride motivates me to achieve the best results.

Q: Even though you’re heading south to train in Florida, your heart is in Brooklyn. Anything you want to say to Brooklyn fans – or anyone in particular you’d like to shake hands with?
A: Brooklyn, I appreciate all the love. Don’t worry, I’m working and coming back stronger than ever. And to anyone who thinks they’re protected at middleweight… remember my name. White Chocolate is coming and when I get my chance, I’m taking the belt back to Brooklyn!