King Arthur Abraham will return to the ring on October 4 when he defends his IBF middleweight title against mandatory challenger Raul Marquez. “It will be a tough fight,” the unbeaten 28-year-old (27-0, 22 KOs) said. “Marquez is a strong fighter and he deserves to fight for the world title. But I will not disappoint the fans in my home city of Bamberg. The belt will remain in Germany.”
It will be King Arthur´s first fight since his spectacular America debut. In June, he impressively stopped Edison Miranda in the fourth round. “Arthur really showed his potential on that night,” coach Ulli Wegner said. “He has got what it takes to be a star in America. But first he needs to get past Marquez. That will not be easy. But we have studied him carefully during our time in America.”
On the undercard of the Abraham-Miranda bout, Marquez (41-3, 29 KOs) clinched a close points victory over previously unbeaten Giovanni Lorenzo. At the post-fight press conference, both fighters shook hands for the first time. “I have a lot of respect for Abraham,” Marquez said back then.
The fight in Bamberg will certainly be a special one for King Arthur, who returns to the city where he first started boxing. Many friends and relatives still live there. “I only have the best memories of Bamberg,” King Arthur added. “It is also the city where I won my first fight after breaking my jaw against Miranda.”
In May 2007, the IBF middleweight champion stopped Sebastien Demers in the third round. “I will make sure the next trip to Bamberg will be equally successful,” he added.
Small Faces Contender Star Curiel
Anthony Small will headlines Frank Warren’s Fourth Annual DebRA charity dinner on September 12, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
In a special UK v USA fight card, Small will take on former Contender star Freddie Curiel.
Top heavyweight prospect Derek Chisora will box over eight rounds, while 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medalists Jamie Cox and Kenny Anderson fight in six rounders.
All boxers will face American opponents.
Small, the current Southern Area Light-Middleweight Champion will be looking to improve his world ranking in what is a highly dangerous fight.
The power-punching 27-year-old, with a 19-1 (13) record, will not want to suffer the same fate as fellow prospect Ross Minter, who was knocked out by Curiel last year.
That was on a UK v USA Contenders card in Newcastle, and Minter was dropped and stopped in the final round.
Curiel, 18-7-2, fights out of Vernon, New Jersey, and was part of the Contender II series, aired on ESPN in 2006.
As well as hosting international boxing, the September 12 event will be aiming to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity DebRA.
The money raised will help promote research into the cause, nature, treatment and cure of the agonising skin genetic disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) – often referred to by the medical profession as the worst and least publicised condition in the world. Further information about DebRA can be found at: www.debra.org.uk
The three previous events hosted by Warren have raised a combined total in excess of £1million, and have been attended by the stars of stage, screen and sport.
“I’m delighted to be able to help DebRA once again,” said Warren. “It is an outstanding charity and I am determined to raise as much money as possible.”
Information about The 2008 DebRA Fight Night can be found at: www.debrafightnight.co.uk