13.01.04 – Undefeated light heavyweight contender Zsolt Erdei is confident that he’ll regain the WBO 175 lb. world title from Mexican Julio Cesar Gonzalez on Saturday in Karlsruhe, Germany. He wants to regain it for his stable mate Dariusz Michalczewski who dropped a 12-round narrow split decision to the Mexican in October which put an end to the reign of the “Tiger” that was lasting for nine years.
„I feel obliged to defeat Gonzalez and regain the world title for my promoter Universum”, Erdei, 18-0 (13), said. “I felt inside me that I would get that chance to fight for the title when I witnessed how Dariusz lost to Gonzalez in October. When I face Gonzalez I have to avoid making the same mistakes. But I’m very confident of my victory, also because Fritz Sdunek will be in my corner. To me he is more than just a coach. Fritz is my friend.“
Fritz Sdunek on his part strongly believes that his charge will defeat Julio Gonzalez, 35-1 (22), next Saturday.
“Zsolt has been a highly skilful amateur boxer who won the European championships, the world championships and an Olympic bronze medal in 2000. Zsolt still profits from his extensive technical training”, Sdunek argued. “His advantages against Gonzalez are his reflexes, his explosiveness and his power. He will win back the title of Dariusz.”
Erdei thinks even though he’s had only half as many professional contests as Gonzalez he won’t lack experience.
“I’m 1,78m [5 foot 10]. I’m used to fight against opponents who are taller than me. I know how to cope with that”, Erdei explained who is facing an opponent ten centimetres taller than him in Gonzalez. He is also giving away 15 centimetres [6 inches] in reach.
“Gonzalez is using unorthodox movements. His crouching style sometimes causes head butts. I have to avoid getting cut early like Dariusz”, Erdei said. “I believe I’m quicker and I punch harder than Gonzalez. But even more important will be the precision of my punches.”
In fact the strength of the humorous and generally liked 29-year-old Erdei is his smart ring general ship and his precious punches.
“If Zsolt can overcome the reach advantage of Gonzalez I see a great chance that my second Hungarian after Istvan Kovacs [former WBO featherweight champion] wins a world title”, coach Fritz Sdunek said.
Against Gonzalez I will fight for my life”, Erdei promised who would dedicate the world title to his father who passed away three years ago. Last year the great Hungarian boxing legend Laszlo Papp died. Should Erdei beat Gonzalez he would become the most popular athlete of Hungary. The fight will be broadcasted nationwide on Hungarian RTL TV.
Erdei who won the WBO intercontinental belt last year and defended it four times successfully wants to use smart tricks to overwhelm the California based Mexican.
“I thought up some smart tricks and I want to feint Gonzalez a bit. This is something Dariusz may have forgotten. I will do it. You just need to have a goal and focus on it. In the end will happen what God wants to happen.”
The dm-arena in Karlsruhe is holding 5.000 seats and is expected to be sold out on Saturday. Second main event of the evening is a WIBF flyweight world championship between Regina Halmich and Johanna-Pena Alvarez.
The weigh-in takes place Friday, 15:00, at Karstadt, Karlsruhe. ZDF will broadcast the event starting 22:00 German time.
More information, exclusive photos from the weigh-in and a live punchstat will be available on www.boxing.de.