FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Famous Boxing Champions "Koko" and "Tiger"
to Run the Volkswagen Prague Marathon
The Volkswagen Prague Marathon doesn't only appeal to amazing runners keen
to participate, but also to prominent celebrities and personalities who
regularly sign up for the race. This year's event taking place on 12th May
will see two world boxing champions, Istvan Kovacs and Dariusz
Michalczewski join in with a third, Lukas Konecny almost signing up too if
it weren't for his trainer, who has strongly advised him not to in light of
his career!
"I'm waiting to defend the title at the end of June being held close to the
Czech border. I'm ready to go for it but the match hasn't been confirmed
100% at this stage," explains Lukas Konecny who regularly takes part in the
Usti Half Marathon.
"Running forms part of my training programme, and so I was really looking
forward to having a shot at it, and was feeling pretty confident I could do
it. Except my trainer wasn't too keen on the idea suggesting it would leave
me feeling tired and worn-out for a long time to come, and that it'd have
an impact on the overall preparation process," the Czech boxer revealed.
Despite this however two of his colleagues will be heading to the start
line guaranteed to liven things up further, while Konecny plans to at least
run the Volkswagen Family Minimarathon together with his daughters.
Istvan Kovacs, the current European Vice-President of the WBO Federation
works as his supervisor at the top races. The 42-year old ranks among the
most prominent last wave of Hungarian boxers. His accolades include winning
an Olympic Gold at Atlanta in 1996, plus the Amateur World and European
Champion and as a professional, holding the WBO featherweight belt in 2001.
Originally a footballer and nicknamed Ko-Ko, he has been voted Hungarian
Sportsman of the Year on two separate occasions. There's a good chance you
might bump into him by paying a visit to his successful La Pampa Steakhause
in Budapest.
Dariusz Michalczewski was previously known in the ring as Tiger for his
captivating style. The 45 year old native of Gdansk in Poland previously
held the European Champion title, and in 1988 decided to emigrate to
Germany where he worked his way up to becoming one of the best
professionals. He has managed to defend the WBO championship title a total
of 23 times. And when it comes to his track record for successive fight
wins, at 48 matches, only one match stands between him and former
superstar, Rocky Marciano. In Germany an energy drink has been named after
him. He hangs out with renowned Hollywood star, Mark Wahlberg (who acted
in Planet of the Apes, Fighter…), also known as the singer, Marky Mark who
even dedicated one of his songs to him called No Mercy where the boxer can
be heard speaking in Polish.
Both boxers will be taking part in the race independently, and it is not
linked to any kind of promotional campaign. "We already spoke about it
during the winter. They told me about their plans and were keen to have me
as their guide, "Lukas Konecny confirms.
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