16.09.08 – by James Slater – Universum today announced that unbeaten and highly touted Ukrainian heavyweight Alexander Dimitrenko will face German veteran Luan Krasniqi in defence of his WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title on November 15th. Big things are expected of the 26-year-old Dimitrenko, who has compiled a 28-0(18) pro record since making his debut back in December of 2001..
In facing the 37-year-old Krasniqi, 30-3-1(14), Dimitrenko will be going up against a normally durable and capable heavyweight. Krasniqi’s main problem in this bout may well prove to be ring-rust. Losing last time out to Tony Thompson (TKO 5), the German has not fought since – the loss to “The Tiger” coming in July of 2007. Before that somewhat unexpectedly quick loss Krasniqi had earned himself a good points win over the aggressive Brian “The Beast Minto, scoring a 12th round knockdown in the process. The question is, how much does Krasniqi have left today?
Dimintrenko must start a big favourite. Having been in with reasonably good men like Vaughn Bean, Fernely Feliz, Danny Batchelder and the hefty Derric Rossy, beating them all with some ease, the unbeaten 6’7″ big guy has done everything right so far. And while Krasniqi, on paper at least, may be the 255-pounder’s toughest opponent thus far, Dimitrenko looks to have every possible physical advantage. Four inches taller than Krasniqi and some 30 pounds heavier, not to mention nine years younger, the fighter known as “Sascha” will surely be trying to get his man out of there come fight time.
Krasniqi doesn’t figure to go easily, however, not unless he’s deteriorated severely from the fighter he was when doing battle with Lamon Brewster (TKO by 9), Lance Whitaker (KO 6), Sinan Samil Sam (W 12) and Minto. A former two-time European heavyweight champion, Krasniqi has only been beaten by good fighters – his other loss coming via 9th round TKO to Poland’s Przemyslaw Saleta ( a corner retirement by Krasniqi that was subsequently avenged via an impressive three-knockdown-scoring 1st round TKO). If he’s anything like the tough guy he was pre-Thompson, the 37-year-old just might give Dimitrenko a serious argument.
Maybe the rest will have actually done Krasniqi some good (he’ll have been out for 16 months come November 15th). Sometimes a long layoff can help to recharge a fighter’s batteries and allow him to fully regain his hunger and desire. If this is the case we’ll get a good fight in two month’s time. If not, and Krasniqi is a rusty, past-his-best former contender, look for the colossal Ukrainian to stop him sometime around the halfway stage.