Statement by Klaus-Peter Kohl: “We accept!” – Universum promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl has issued following statement regarding a possible unification clash between German middleweight world champions Felix Sturm (WBA) and Arthur Abraham (IBF): “Felix Sturm fought the multiple world champion and US superstar Oscar de La Hoya at the height of his career in Las Vegas and defeated him according to all experts. Thus, he has already achieved what Arthur wants to have: to have a good name in America. With all due respect to Arthur Abraham, he is far from being an Oscar de la Hoya. Felix has already defeated Arthur twice as an amateur and I’m quite sure that he would also do it for a third time because Felix Sturm is a far superior boxer..”
As for comments from the Abraham camp in recent days, Kohl stated, “I know Arthur is a man of his word. If he really wants to fight Sturm for nothing, he should sign a contract and the fight will take place. We gratefully accept the offer. Universum, ZDF, and all of Germany are already looking forward to a great fight.”
Dimitrenko / Krasniqi Presser:
Luan „The Lion“ Krasniqi challenges Alexander „Sascha“ Dimitrenko in a fight for the WBO Interconti belt! (Live on ZDF from 11:00pm)
Also in action is heavyweight and knockouter Denis Boytsov: he faces the American Vinny Maddalone
Unbeaten WBO #1 heavyweight Alexander Dimitrenko (28-0, 18 KOs) continues on the road to his long awaited world title shot when he faces 37-year-old long time contender Luan Krasniqi (30-3-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at the Burg-Wächter Castello in Düsseldorf. The “Universum Champions Night” will also feature unbeaten WBO #9/WBA #12 heavyweight Denis Boytsov (22-0, 18 KOs) against the rugged warrior Vinny Maddalone (31-4, 22 KOs).
All were on hand at Monday’s press conference at “Uerige” a local Düsseldorf brewery.
The 26-year-old Dimitrenko said: “It can’t go wrong. I’ve had the best preparation and am psychologically at my best. I have the best trainer and God is behind me. Everything is good. I will win!”
Dimitrenko’s trainer Fritz Sdunek added: “We all know each other very well and [from the fighters’ perspective] this is one of the most unpopular and unpleasant intra-stall bouts. Everyones’ nerves will be on edge even more than usual. Sascha is in the best physical and psychological condition. Whoever has the stronger psyche wins. One punch can decide it!”
His challenger Luan Krasniqi stated: “I’m grateful that I got the chance to box against the #1 world ranked fighter. I also see it as Fritz Sdunek does, the better nerves will decide it. I’ve already had difficult times behind me and people have often said it was my ‘last chance’ but I’m still here. A person learns more from losses than from victories. Physically I feel like a 28-year-old. Vitali Klitschko is the same age as me and after a four year break he became world champion again. That is also my goal. I am up for this fight against the #1 as seldom before and want to win, no matter how!”
Krasniqi’s trainer Valentin Silaghi commented: “I’ve trained Luan now for more than a year. This fight was already set once. I admire my longtime friend, trainer Fritz Sdunek and have high respect for his work and his successes. For this fight, even though we already know them well, we’ve studied the DVDs and prepared very well for this fight. I hope that we have the better nerves!”
Boystov, meanwhile, was supremely confident that he would get by blood and guts warriors Maddalone. “I will give 110%. My opponent has the greater experience, but if he is good, but I will be better” stated the unbeaten heavyweight.
Boystov’s trainer Fritz Sdunek added: “Vinny Maddalone can punch, has a big fighter’s heart and the experience of fighting against Holyfield and Minto speaking for him. For Denis, however, his mental strength and his clout will be decisive. He is a “small Tyson!”
Maddalone was delighted to be making his first appearance in Europe. “I’m having a great time in Dusseldorf. There will be a good show here and the people will get their money’s worth. Against Holyfield, I only lost because there was a bloody headbutt in round two. I’ve been a professional for ten years now and my experience is my strength.”
In other notable bouts, in his first fight after suffering his only career defeat against WBA champion Mikkel Kessler, WBA #6 super middleweight Dimitri Sartison (22-1, 14 KOs) returns against Edison Francisco Guedes (11-7-1, 5 KOs), and WBA #3 super middleweight Gusmyl Perdomo (15-2, 9 KOs) meets Laurent Goury (14-17, 2 KOs). In other action, local heavyweight Markus Tomala (4-0, 2 KOs) faces Jevgenijs Stamburskis (5-17, 1 KO), light heavyweight Igor Michalkin (5-0, 4 KOs) battles Emmanoel Martins da Silva (16-7, 3 KOs), lightweight Magomed Jangubaev faces an opponent to be named in his second pro fight.
Tickets for this „Universum Champions Night“ are available at: Universum Ticket Hotline: +49 40-696 559 59 – CTS-Eventim Hotline: +49 1805-570 000 or at www.boxing.de