Russian queen of the canvass on RT

RT: Natalia, your achievements have been added to the Guinness book of records. You have not lost a single fight. What is it that makes you the strongest?

Natalia Ragozina: Well my secret is simple: I just try harder than anybody… and of course I have a great team.

RT: Did you always dream of becoming a boxer?

NR: I used to do athletics and the original dream was to take part in the Olympics. But then I met many boxers who became my friends and they invited me to the ring and I fell in love with the sport right away.

It makes me incredibly happy now that women's boxing has been included in the Olympic Games. I remember when I was only begging as an amateur I felt like a pioneer. Many women who trained with me quit the sport because there was no motivation. It really felt like the sport had no future. I became a professional, but as professionals cannot take part in the Games, maybe I could retire and perform in the Olympics to prove that I'm still strong. To complete my collection of medals I need an Olympic gold medal – that is the dream!

RT: Have you ever had to use your skills in everyday life?

N.R.: Of course I have! I didn't learn to box for nothing. It is very important for a woman to be able to defend herself in a dangerous situation. Now I'm older, of course, and these days it is much better to use words before fists. You know what it’s like, when a young girl is walking alone some people feel the need to harass or be rude. Just like in boxing, I try to back off first, but if it doesn't work, the guy is in for a big surprise.

RT: You have over 12 knockouts in your professional career. Do you ever feel sorry for your contestants when you hit them?

N.R.: Well they don't feel sorry for me, so why should I have pity on them? We have a rule: before the ring we're friends… after the ring we're friends… but when it comes to standing in the ring under the lights and the atmosphere – we're fighters. Not enemies but fighters! Once my trainer came up to me and said "Look, we’ve got a girl who is just starting her career in boxing, please don't kill her" and I felt sorry for her and was careful not to hurt her. But she was on fire and hit me so hard I said to myself “So this is how we going to do this”…. I hit her with everything I had and the fight ended.

RT: Sounds like you have a tough hand. How badly do you injure you contestants usually? And have you ever had any injuries yourself after the fight?

N.R.: Only one injury but it was quite bad. During my last fight I injured my left hand. It was badly taped. I hit hard and my knuckle broke. I felt it in the sixth round, but if you want to win then you simply cannot throw in the towel. I had to fight in pain the next four rounds with a broken hand. The problem was the person who taped my hands was not from my usual team. He didn't know how hard I hit and how strong I need my hands to be taped. Now it’s healed and is pretty much ok. I just have a small bump on my hand still. As for my opponents’ injuries, there have been occasions when I broke someone's nose with one hit, but to break a jaw one has to really try hard.

RT: In your blog you said that Laila Ali, the daughter of the legendary Mohammad Ali, is the reason you became a boxer.

N.R.: I fought everybody in my weight category and even in heavier categories and then I saw her. She was called the strongest, the greatest, and I said to myself – she's American! What about Russia? So I decided that I needed to defend Russia's boxing school! I think in Russia is stronger, so I became a professional boxer and always had a dream to fight Laila Ali!

However, all this time later, we still haven't had a chance to fight! And even my mum asked me why I didn’t abandon this idea, and instead of trying to fight her in the ring just be friends with her instead.

And I said, “Mom, I'd love to be her friend, I really would, but you have to understand that boxing is boxing and I would meet to fight her first. There is simply no other way. If the Boxing Federation allows the change in regulations so that professional boxers can go back to the Olympics, it would be amazing if we all participated in the Games. One of the greatest things ever! If I'm allowed to, I will fight for Russia. It means everything to me and I really hope that I get this honor.

RT: What is the difference in wages between male and female boxers? Is there any discrimination?

N.R.: Male boxers are of course better-paid than female boxers. But I have to tell you, out of all female boxers I know, I get paid to the most because I have more medals than anyone. I'm the absolute champion of the world, so therefore I think I deserve to earn more than the rest. If you knew the effort I had to put in to win each and every one of my awards, you would not question my pay.

RT: What qualities does a woman need to have to become a boxer?

N.R.: First of all a woman has to stay a woman. Many say fighting is not for women but I don't agree. I'm just like any other woman. I have a son and many everyday other things going on in my life. But I believe that people have to do what they're good at. I'm good at boxing and that is what I do. If I was good at playing the hockey, I'd do that. People say it’s traumatic, and what about gymnastics, football, judo? They can all be called dangerous sports. I don't agree with those who say boxing is not for women. Only those who do not have self-confidence say that. Right now, many women go to boxing schools first of all to be able to defend themselves. What is really dangerous is not being able to defend yourself. So I think it is good to learn how to box.

RT: Now that you've won so many titles, do people recognize you on the streets and think twice before upsetting you in some way?

N.R.: They do. And I’m thankful that my fights are now shown live on Russian television, because people did not know women's boxing existed in Russia until it was put on a TV screen. That is really helping to boost its popularity.

I fight in Germany but for Russia. Now they watch it and support me, and it is amazing. Right after the announcement that women's boxing is going to be included in the Olympics, my manager called me from Germany and suggested I should help train the Women's Boxing Federation in Germany. But I told him no. I live here in Russia, and therefore would like to promote it here, among women in my own country. He said he knew I'd say that.

RT: And when is your next fight?

N.R.: In September I'm going to begin training a bit to get my left hand back in shape. In December I'll have my next fight in Berlin. I'll be fighting for as long as I know I can compete. I know it is very important to leave the sport at the right time and go out on a high, but I'm not planning to leave any time soon. I'm in a great shape and I'm sure there are many more fights to win.