“I’m proud to represent Alicante”
The man of the moment is finally in his city. After a week and a half as champion and receiving numerous accolades and recognition from the media, Ilya Topuria should have felt quite literally at home. This is already the case.
This Wednesday evening at Main Theater of AlicanteTopuria took his first mass bath in his host city when he was 15 years old, and dreamed of everything he was experiencing now. He did this with the help of “El Partidazo” from Cadena COPE, Juanma Castaño and his entire team. But above all, a thousand people from Alicante pay tribute to the great champion. And there would be more of them if capacity allowed.
At 11:34 p.m., to the sounds of a mariachi song, as in Anaheim, Topuria took the stage, chanted by his followers. The first thing he did, of course, was show his championship belt and put his hand on his chest as a sign of love. “I am very grateful. I am proud to represent all of you. Up, Alicante!“, he said.
Topuria noted that he had difficulty going outside and joked about the possibility that the mayor would help him (both also agreed to pay a fine to a fan whose car was towed by a tow truck). “When people show you affection, you should accept their invitation, even if you are tired. I liked all the politicians” he noted when asked about the crowds he’s been receiving lately.
“Waking up at home is amazing, and grandma made breakfast for us.“, he admitted about his first night at home. “I’m going to have some fun and calm down. Do what my body and mind ask me to do. Then strike again,” he added when asked about his next steps in Alicante.
Five more years
In the most serious part of the interview, Topuria stated that he has five years left in his career, since he started very young and hopes to compete in MMA until he is 30-32 years old, and then have a few fights in boxing. “I know that no one can defeat me– he concluded sharply.
The event was a time for jokes and the ins and outs of the champion’s life, and it all led to the next challenge on Topuria’s horizon – the title defense match in Spain, as expected, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Let’s see if you’re against it Conor McGregordesire Alicante.