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15.08.07 – IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham is set to make his next fight in America if he wins Saturday´s meeting with mandatory challenger Khoren Gevor. “Arthur is the best middleweight in the world and we´re planning to bring him to the States,” manager Wilfried Sauerland said at today´s press conference in Berlin. “There has already been a lot of interest in him and I´m sure he would be a huge hit.”
More trouble than a potential opponent could give him the x-ray scan at the airport. Two titanium plates and 22 screws inside his jaw usually make the alarm go off at the security check. King Arthur broke his jaw in two places during his spectacular victory over Edison Miranda back in 2006. Not that the injury bothers him any more.
Three months ago, he put aside Canadian Sebastien Demers inside three rounds. Next up is the meeting with countryman Gevor, and Abraham is highly motivated. “I am in great shape and I will prove that in the ring on Saturday night,” the champion stated. The 27-year-old also revealed how he plays mind games before a fight. “I tell myself that I´m weaker than my opponent. As a consequence, I will train much harder and beat him in the ring.”
Meanwhile, Gevor is confident of an upset. “I have good chances to win the fight,” he stated. “I´ve had a great preparation and very good sparring partners. The IBF belt will be a present for my wife Nenel, who is pregnant.” And coach Fritz Sdunek added: “I can understand that many people consider Abraham the favourite. But it would not be the first time for a favourite to lose. I expect the fight to go the full distance, with Khoren benefiting of his good physical condition towards the end.”
The meeting will just be the second time that German coaching legends Sdunek and Ulli Wegner come face-to-face in professional boxing. “There will be a lot at stake. It is a question of honour,” Wegner said. “But I am confident we will win.”
The fight will be televised live in over 30 countries.