WBC #2 rated middleweight Domenico “Vulcano” Spada (30-2, 15 KOs) says he can’t wait to tear into WBC interim champion Sebastian Zbik (28-0, 10 KOs) on Saturday night in Magdeburg. Last July, in a fight for the vacant WBC belt, Zbik narrowly won by scores of 115-114 on all cards. Spada told boxing.de that this time he won’t leave it in the judges’ hands..
The Domenico Spada-Sebastian Zbik rematch is Saturday. Are you happy about it?
“Of course. I very much hope that Sebastian will fight me. Last time, he only clinched and didn’t fight. He boxed like a woman. Be a man, Sebastian! I won last year at the Nurburgring. Not him. This is my belt. I’ll take it on Saturday to Italy! Sebastian, that’s my belt! ”
Why are you so agitated?
“Because it’s almost impossible to win on points in Germany. I must and will win by KO. My last fight in February, I won by first round knockout, so I can visualize it. We’ve seen what happens when Germans box abroad. In Italy I was the Italian television commentator for the Super Six tournament. Abraham clearly lost the fight against Dirrell and not only because of the disqualification. In Germany, he wouldn’t have been disqualified. That says everything. I’m very angry about my last fight against Sebastian. I deserved to win. He will feel this anger.”
Is it good to be angry in the ring?
“I am very angry, but still clear in my head. I’m not without rhyme or reason. I have been waiting much for my new opportunity. I don’t want to mess up. ”
Sebastian Zbik wasn’t at full strength due to an eardrum operation before the fight. Do you expect to see another Zbik in the ring?
“Each boxer has his ailments while preparing. Me too. Even in his last fight against De La Rosa, Zbik didn’t fight well in my eyes. He still held back. And he had nothing in his ear, or did he? He’s a good boxer, but that’s not enough. For me, it’s all just a big excuse. ”
You seem very motivated – what motivates you?
“The last fight against Zbik. And my family. I am happily married and have three sons. Angelo, Alessandro and Anthony. Anthony was born only a month ago. I’ll give them the WBA belt as a present when I see him on Saturday.”
WBC Interim champ Zbik fires back: “We’ll see on Saturday what his words are worth”
You and Domenico Spada were standing face to face for a while and exchanged some heated words during the public work out. What was this all about?
“He wanted to tell me he’s winning the fight and the belt is his. But it was very difficult to understand him and I had to correct his English once. In the end he can say what he wants. We’ll see on Saturday what his words are worth. Then I’ll show him his place. That he made a scene is a sign of insecurity.”
What will you make different in this fight?
“This is a completely different fight. I’m physically in a very different condition. I had an injury-free preparation without health problems. This is already a huge difference from the first fight. I’m assuming that I’ll go into the fight as a different fighter and produce a very different performance.”
Is it a good or bad thing thing that you have already faced each other in the ring? Are you a fan of rematch fights?
“I have every reason to be optimistic, because previously I was in really disastrous shape and probably should have canceled the fight. But it was my first world title chance after five years and he couldn’t even beat me in that form. Now I’m in top shape and can go confidently into the fight.”
Will you surprise Spada? Have you trained with something specific?
“I’ll stay true to my style and we have a very good plan. I must, of course, get through the early rounds, then the fight will go well for me I’m sure.”
WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is also in action on Saturday, boxing against WBC jr middleweight champion Sergio Martinez. What are your thoughts about it?
“There should finally be clarity here. The boxing fans want to know who the best middleweight is. I want to finally get in there with Pavlik, and not be interim champion forever. I hope that after my fight with Spada the WBC or Pavlik finally takes the responsibility to make a mandatory defense. I’m ready in any case. I would also fight [IBF champion] Sebastian Sylvester or [WBA champion] Felix Sturm. Sebastian is already booked. Felix’ plans are unclear. I want to be the best in the division. I won’t duck anyone. But first I have Spada waiting on Saturday. This is the most important, for now.”
Stieglitz vs Gutknecht
On Saturday, another chapter in German boxing history will be written when WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (37-2, 23 KOs) defends his belt against unbeaten WBO #2 ranked Eduard “Eddy” Gutknecht (18-0, 7 KOs). It will be the seventh ever German vs. German world championship clash. The headlining fight at the world title twinbill in Magdeburg’s famous Bördelandhalle, will feature the German WBC interim middleweight champion Sebastian Zbik (28-0, 10 KOs) who has a rematch with WBC #2 rated Italian Domenico Spada (30-2, 15 KOs). In their last encounter Zbik edged Spada in a close fight last July. The fighters were all on hand Monday at the famous Kaiser-Otto-Saal of the Kulturhistorischen Museum for the fight week press conference.
Sebastian Zbik stated at the press conference: „I’ll prove that I’m better and that the first bad fight was due to my injury. In the first fight there was a health problem with my eardrum. This time I’m in top shape. This will be a very different fight and I’ll defeat Spada clearly! After that, I want to finally take on Kelly Pavlik. The fans need clarity. I hope Kelly does too!“
Trainer Artur Grigorian, who assumed full duties from Fritz Sdunek: “We trained in Poland in the footsteps of The Tiger. Dariusz (Michalczewski) was often in Zakopane. This can be a good omen.“
Domenico Spada commented: „The past is the past. Now I’m focussed on the upcoming fight on Saturday and I will win it this time. I think I won the last fight. It’s my belt and this time I’ll take it to Italy. Do you understand me Sebastian?!“
Robert Stieglitz is challenged by Eddy Gutknecht
Also scheduled in Magdeburg is a all German battle for the WBO super middleweigt title. The reigning World champion Robert Stieglitz (37-2, 23 KOs) defends against undefeated Eduard “Eddy” Gutknecht (18-0, 7 KOs). Gutknecht scored an unexpective win over former world champion Karoly Balzsay last December in Sölden. Curently rated WBO # 2 the 27 year old now has his biggest chance so far. Stieglitz, who is based in Magdeburg, said respectively about his mandatory challenger Gutknecht: „I know Gutknecht well, having sparred with him myself. A very good boxer, technically well-trained and sophisticated. It is a tough fight, after all, it’s a mandatory defense. But I will keep my belt I’m sure.“
Eduard Gutknecht said: „The fight is a big challenge for me. I’m box against the best in the WBO in this weight class. We’ve known each other a long time, but we’re rivals in the ring and I will have that belt – no question. Robert has improved a lot in recent years, but I’ll find out how good he really is. This is the most important fight of my life. I worked 14 years for this.
Gutknecht trainer Magomed Schaburow: „We respect Robert as a good boxer, but we’re here to win and take the belt. We had a fantastic training camp in Sölden and set the basis of fitness for the whole year.“
Stieglitz trainer Torsten Schmitz replies: „We worked hard over the last four weeks. This will pay off. I can promise Eduard Gutknecht that Robert will put on enormous pressure…I’m convinced that Robert will win.”
Olympic champion Tschachkijew premieres in Magdeburg
The talent-packed card also features Russian Olympic gold medalist and cruiserweight sensation Rachim Tschachkijew (3-0, 3 KOs) who takes on experienced German Rene Huebner (25-15-2, 11 KOs). In his previous three fights he scored three knockouts and the Michael Timm trained Tschachkijew can count on a growing fanbase since making his debut in 2009.
Hungarian shooting star Pal “Pimpa” Bedak (6-0, 4 KOs) will also be seen in action. The flyweight, who is known for his fast, quick and fighting high speed boxing style will face the Mexican Edgar Jimenez (8-3-1, 6 KOs). In additional fight featherweight Marcel Meyerdiercks (15-0, 7 KOs) will face the Italian Emiliano Salvini (13-10-1, 2 KOs) in his 16th pro fight. Female jr middleweight Christina Hammer (4-0, 4 KOs) and unbeaten cruiserweight Mateusz Masternak (18-0, 13 KOs) are also featured on the card.
Ulf Steinforth, Promoter of Stieglitz, is looking forward to this event:
„We’ll see a great sporting event in Magdeburg – a highlight for Magdeburg. It’s also a fight between two boxing promoters: SES vs. Universum. The fans demanded it. Both fighters know each other, but the friendship must go on hold for twelve rounds — and it won’t be easy to push the champion off the throne. In any case, the fight will be very explosive. This isn’t easy for Robert. Gutknecht has Schaburov, an absolute fox of a trainer in the corner, so we must be careful.“
The official weigh-in can be seen exclusively just a few minutes delayed on our official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/UBPboxing
ZDF will televise the world title fight Zbik vs. Spada live from 11:15pm.
Tickets are availbale at: www.ticketonline.de or www.ticketdome.de Tickethotline: +49 1805/007117 SES-Boxing Hotline: Tel. +49 391-73 464 30