11.02.04 – Austrian superwelterweight Gotthard Hinteregger, 23-6-1 (12 KO’s), this week received the boost he was waiting for when it was jointly announced by his management Fight Production and Italian female promoter Rosanna Conti Cavini that the 36-year-old will clash with undefeated Emanuel Grilli, 11-0 (5 KO’s), for the vacant IBF Intercontinental title.
The showdown will take place in Grosseto, Italy on April 27 and Hinteregger’s manager Olaf Schroeder is looking to give his charge a final warm-up in early March. The man nicknamed ‘The Cougar’ was elevated at these news: “This is what I was waiting for and I will make the most of that opportunity! I knew that when joining Olaf last year, he would deliver on his promise of getting me a shot at a respected title.”
44-YEAR OLD MILAN KONECNY TO UN-RETIRE!
A lot was made last October of the fact that Czech cruiserweight champion Milan Konecny jointly headlined a promotion in hometown Usti together with his son Lukas. They both won championship bouts with Milan retaining his national belt via hard-fought 10-round decision over Pavel Habr. It was thought that night that this was Konecny’s final swansong and that he would ride off into the sunset after a highly respectable 35-fight career (22-12-1).
Think again! Because shortly after his 44th birthday in December, Milan started to feel the urge again and now looks to return to the ring in March. The plan is for him to again join his son’s undercard when SES Boxing of Germany, who handle Lukas’ career, promote once more in Usti.
“What can I say? Milan is the most stubborn fighter I’ve ever had,” says his career-long manager Olaf Schroeder, “I would like to see nothing more than for Milan to stay retired, however, before someone uses him as constant cannon fodder, I prefer to stick and support him – and keep a watchful eye.”
PACKHEISER TO FIGHT SPANISH CHAMP
Fight Production’s German heavyweight Ralf Packheiser, 12-4 (6 KO’s), the man Danny Williams was afraid to fight, travels to Madrid on February 28 to take on Spanish champion Hovik Keuchkerian, 13-1 (12 KO’s), over eight rounds. It is an important match for the hulking 33-year-old Berlin man, seeing as he was stopped last time out in December by Italian champ Paolo Vidoz.