Photo Credit: Sebastian Heger – Mission Impossible’ or ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’, these are the two opposing views shared at today’s final press conference ahead of Saturday night’s WBA World Light Heavyweight Championship fight between Juergen Braehmer (45-2, 33 KOs) and Robin Krasniqi (43-3, 16 KOs) at the StadtHalle in Rostock, Germany.
Kicking-off proceedings at the Fischland Hotel, promoter Kalle Sauerland expressed his excitement at the all-German duel. ‘’On Saturday night we have the champion versus the number one ranked challenger,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’This is what boxing is all about – the best fighting the best!’’
Despite his high expectations, the promoter made clear his prediction for the outcome of the fight. ‘’I’ve seen that Krasniqi’s team has the slogan ‘Mission World Champion’ on their cars. I regret to inform them that it is ‘Mission Impossible’. Juergen is going to win!’’
Braehmer, who will be making a fourth defence of his WBA strap, shares his promoter’s confidence. ‘’Krasniqi is a young ambitious fighter who wants to take my title away from me. But that’s not going to happen,’’ said the 36 year-old southpaw. ‘’As always, I will defeat my opponent and retain my title.’’
The champion’s last defence lasted just 55 seconds, with a vicious body shot ending Pawel Glazewski’s world title ambitions in record time. As the Schwerin-fighter prepares for his next challenge, he refuses to rule out the possibility of another early stoppage. ‘’Sometimes a single punch is all it takes,’’ reflects Braehmer. ‘’Whether this comes in the first round or twelfth round, it’s impossible to predict at this level. But when the opportunity does comes, I will take it!’’
However, the challenger Krasniqi has not come to Rostock to lie down. The 27 year-old believes he is ready to dethrone his German compatriot and take his place at the top of the light heavyweight division. ‘’This is the most important fight of my life. A win on Saturday would change everything for me,’’ said Krasniqi, who enters his second world championship fight following an unsuccessful attempt at Nathan Cleverly’s WBO belt in 2013. ‘’That opportunity may have come to soon for me,’’ admits the Munich-fighter. ‘’But now, I’m ready!’’
Krasniqi’s manager Ulf Steinforth is backing his man to cause an upset on Saturday night. ‘’As a manager it is my job to get my boxers in a position to challenge for world titles – everything else is up to them,’’ said Steinforth. ‘’I am convinced that Robin will rock Rostock and bring the world title home.’’
The Moment of Truth: Braehmer vs. Krasniqi is available to watch live on SAT.1 in Germany and Sky Sports in the UK.
