Felix Sturm is a busy man when it comes to boxing in the last months. He dethroned the Spaniard Javier Castillejo in a Rematch in April 2007 and secured the WBA belt for the second time before risking it again just eight weeks after in Stuttgart against the unbeaten Noe Tulio Gonzalez Alcoba of Uruguay
“Up to now I had a perfect preparation. Already at the first press conference here I was well impressed with the arena and the surroundings. There is no better place than the Gerry Weber Stadium for such an event. I believe it’s going to be a thrilling fight. This has been a great year for me, maybe the best and most successful one in my career. The spectators expect a great fight and they won’t be disappointed. The next days I will only focus on the fight. I have learned a lot from my previous fights and I know what my strengths are” Sturm says at today’s presser at the GERRY WEBER Sportpark.
Also his coach Michael Timm is very optimistic: “The last two victories were very important for Felix and they gave him confidence. It’s a lot of fun to work with him. We had a tough preparation for this fight. I have given Felix a tactical guideline and he followed that exactly. We can expect a very good and highly tecnical fight on Saturday. We have the best conditions for this fight from wellness to food and training facilities, every thing is great!”
He is back again and will jeopardize his belt now against his mandatory challenger and no. 1 rated in the WBA rankings, Randy Griffin (24-1-2 (12)), who is promoted by Don King.
Randy Griffin (24-1-2 (12)), also known as the „Gentleman“, has a great record. His only defeat came in 2002 when he lost against James Lubwama. In his last fight about a year ago he faced Maselino Masoe in a World Boxing Assocaition Eliminator and won clearly on points. Masoe on the other hand previously lost his belt in March 2006 to Felix Sturm. “I had a good feeling when I arrived here and I like the surroundings of this event. I’m a real nice person but when I’m inside the ring I’m like a beast. I will give my best,” Griffin says.The champion is expecting a tough challenge from the Louisville, Kentucky, native who will have his first fight in Europe and will try to extend the grand tradition of American fighters in the middleweight division.
Universum-Promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl: „It will be our first event in the Gerry Weber Stadion and we are looking forward to have Felix as our headliner in this event. We hope that the crowd will enjoy the night, with a great atmosphere and great fights!“
Three more title fight on the undercard at the „Universum Champions Night“, Halle / Westfalen:
Unbeaten super middleweight Lukas Wilaschek (18-0, 6 KOs) will face Peter Mashamaite (17-6-1, 9 KOs) in a ten rounder for Wilaschek’s German International belt. The fighter of Universum Box-Promotion will once again have another tough challenge after beating the Dane Fawaz Nasir in a hard fought battle in July. His opponent of South Africa had already faced Wilaschek’s stable mate Denis Inkin in February 2006 and lost after 10 rounds on points.
Super featherweight Vitali Tajbert (12-0-0- (5) will meet the strong Russian Peter Petrov (16-1-2 (8)) in an 8 rounder. In the world rankings Petrov is listed at 37 while Tajbert is only ranked at 70. Also in the European rankings Tajbert (8) is positioned behind his challenger Petrov (2). With this opponent, the spotlight fighter will have probably his toughest challenge in his young career and an interesting battle can be expected.
Top rated junior welterweight Willy Blain (17-0, 3 KOs) will risk his WBO number 1/WBA number 7 world ranking in a tweve-rounder against Stephane Benito (22-12-3, 8 KOs) in a bout for the World Boxing Organization Intercontinental belt. Blain, a former amateur world champion, is first in line for a shot at world champion Ricardo Torres.
Another heavyweight on the undercard is World Boxing Association number five heavyweight Taras Bidenko (23-2, 12 KOs) who will defend his WBA Intercontinental championship in a twelve-round bout against George Arias (41-9, 29 KOs). Bidenko hopes to continue the momentum from his win over “The Dutch Sonny Liston” Richel Hersisia in June.
Featured in important bouts on the world scene will be young stars from the spotlight boxing stable.
The unbeaten spotlight boxing fighters fighters Sebastian Zbik (19-0-0 (7)) as well as the German heavyweight hopes Sebastian Köber (10-0-0 (10)) and Dieter Roth (14-0-0 (9)) will complete the fightcard at this “Universum Champions Night.”
Tickets for the “Universum Champions Night“ at GERRY WEBER STADIUM are available from 35,00 Euro at the Ticket hotline +49 – 5201 818 – 0 as well as at all known Ticket centres.